For my CIH presidential campaign, I’m encouraging all housing professional to Be EPIC.

Be Educated | Be Professional | Be In control | Be Chartered Institute of Housing

Alongside ‘Be EPIC’, I've also chosen to raise money for Action for Children Charity, a children's charity created to help vulnerable, disabled children, young people and their families throughout the UK. Their vision is that every child and young person has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

Too many children are growing up with their families struggling to make ends meet and statistics released in July of this year demonstrate that child poverty numbers throughout the UK have been continually rising. Fact is that we may be seeing the start of the greatest rise in child poverty in a generation because the 2023 figures confirm a staggering 200,000 more children are in poverty compared to last year and the Institute of Fiscal Studies are projecting a devastating 50% increase in child poverty by the end of the decade.

This is why building foundations for children to have a happy, healthy and supported life, fits incredibly with my ‘Be EPIC’ campaign, and I would like to thank everyone who is kind enough to support this wonderful charity which will make a positive difference to the life of a child.

£10 could enable a young carer to participate in a fun activity, providing them with a much needed break from their caring responsibilities.

£15 could provide a 'self care kit' for a child who has attended the Blues Programme to help protect their mental health

£25 could provide an emergency food package for a young person in crisis.

£30 could provide one hour of intensive support to a young person transitioning from care into independent living.

£50 could provide a child with vital materials they need to take part in their education and reach their potential.

£100 could provide a young person staying in emergency accommodation with breakfast, lunch and evening meals for a week, as well as much needed toiletries.

£250 could provide an immediate grant to support children and young people living in poverty, who are struggling with an unexpected expense or additional pressures such as domestic violence, disability or poor health.

£550 could buy a cooker, washing machine and fridge for a young person/family moving into an unfurnished flat

£1,000 could pay for a soft play floor for one of our specialist disability project