Starbucks Sainsbury Nine Elms

We're a free open access adventure playground for children and young people between the ages of 8-16. We believe in the importance of play and want to continue to be able to offer this! For over 40 years DKHAP has given children and young people the opportunity to play freely and take risk in a safe and stimulating environment with qualified staff on hand to supervise. The playground is based in East Dulwich South London and is run independently by a management committee made up of local people. We believe that all children have the right to play irrespective of their race, culture, ability or gender. Through the many facets of play, all children can achieve there full potential.

Parental and family addiction causes serious harm from birth to adulthood unless people are given help. Problems are complex. The consequences are often severe and long lasting affecting every aspect of a young person’s life. The harm done to them is usually unseen: the bruise under the shirt, the feelings of resentment and grief, the sense of a loss of childhood. The impact: It’s long lasting. Children of alcoholics are: 3 times more likely to have a drinking problem and 2 times more likely to develop a drug addiction. The cycle of abuse, addiction and trauma leads young people down their own self destructive paths of drug and alcohol addiction, violence, unemployment, mental health difficulties, and sexual abuse. For young people in the UK the options to access support are very limited, and most services require the addicted adult to seek help for themselves before the suffering young people are uncovered. The problem is that telling someone else may not be an option. For a young person telling a friend or a teacher that their dad is a heroin addict or their mum is an alcoholic is unthinkable. The shame and loyalty to their parent keeps them silent. Young people often find COAP when they are close to losing all hope. We have read many stories of just how low and desperate things can get. We help people who might have attempted to take their own lives or have resorted to self-harm as a way to cope. Children of Addicted Parents (COAP) provides: • Online community to bring affected young people together from all backgrounds, so that they can help and support each other • Access to moderated online and anonymous message boards 24/7 (messages are moderated between 9am to 9pm) • Online peer mentoring with trained and supervised mentors • Free online private message counselling with trained and supervised counsellors (Monday to Friday 9am – 9pm) • Advice and information to empower young people and adults with knowledge about addiction and its effects on the person with the addiction We are seeking around £1000 to provide online training to train a team of mentors who have all lived with or still live with a parents addiction to alcohol and drugs. Our mentors are all aged 18+ and it is by sharing their insights and what did and didn't help them so much growing up that makes a huge difference to young people who are often reaching out for help for the very first time. Our mentors act as positive and inspiring role models enabling young people to feel less isolated, more connected with others in similar situations and with increased confidence to find someone they trust to get more support. Thank you for taking the time to read our application.