Representatives from both charities came along to talk about their work and suggest how branches and members can get involved.

War Child

One in six children live in areas of the world affected by conflict.

War Child’s mission is to respond to those conflicts and help children in those communities to recover and rebuild their lives.

“We help keep them safe, give them an education, and equip them with skills for the future,” partnership executive Louise James told the committee.

War Child funds and trains specialist facilitators eg former teachers, to offer play, youth and sports sessions.

The charity works in nine countries in the Middle East and Central Africa. In 2018, it reached 123,000 children.

War Child was one of the first agencies allowed to operate in Yemen where the humanitarian crisis is urgent and people are struggling to find food and shelter.

Louise explained that £50,000 will provide enough money to refurbish and provide facilities for six schools in Yemen.

Watch an inspiring video, When Batman visited a refugee camp, here.

You can see all of War Child’s videos here.

Trussell Trust

With more than 1,200 food banks, the Trussell Trust has the largest network of food banks in the UK.

It provides emergency food and additional support services, depending on need, in each local area eg job clubs, debt advice and holiday clubs.

It also campaigns to challenge the structural issues behind poverty and hunger. Its ultimate aim is to create long term change so that its services are no longer needed.

2018 was a record year for the Trust which gave out 1.6m three-day food supplies – an 18.8% increase on the previous year.

This also represents a 73% increase on 2014.

The Trust has identified the introduction of Universal Credit as a key issue behind this increase and is gathering evidence to put to policy makers and influencers.

The fall-out from the collapse of Thomas Cook has already started. Employees who were not paid have contacted their local food banks for support.

“Prospect and the Trussell Trust is a good match because your values match ours. We are both about standing up for people’s rights and working for the greater good of everybody,” said Alice Hudson, community and events fundraising assistant.

Alice urged NEC members to talk to colleagues to find out if there are events that they would like to see.

You can find your local food bank on the website – www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/

Links to fundraising ideas

War Child: https://library.prospect.org.uk/download/2019/01148

Trussell Trust: https://library.prospect.org.uk/download/2019/01149.

We have set up a donations page at: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROSomeoneSpecialPage?pageUrl=ProspectTradeUnion#menu