Julie Luxton is the Founder and a Trustee of the new charity Care & Consideration With A Smile (charity registration in progress - charity number pending). Currently we have 3 trustees including Shona Easton (company director: Easton Design Studio Ltd and friend of Julie) and Oliver Monahan (Managing Director of Arriva Buses, Kent & Surrey and a supporter of the charity).

Julie had a stroke in her mid 40's after which she had to learn to walk again, talk again and all the things that most people take for granted. She suffered 90% loss of vision and can no longer drive. Julie has had to learn to be a person with a hidden disability and the idea for this charity came to her when she experienced a lack of Care & Consideration from people working in the retail and public services sectors. For example - because she doesn't 'look' like she needs help, a bus driver would pull away from the bus stop before she's sitting down - causing her to fall down as she's still unsteady on her feet. She hears people in the queue behind her at the supermarket 'tutting' because she takes a while to find the money in her purse (she can't easily distinguish the different coins).

In order to be able to assist people with a hidden disability, Julie came up with the C&C Smile badge idea. 

A person wearing the C&C Smile (badge A) is a person with a hidden disability. When you see that badge, please just give a little Care & Consideration for that person.

As a supporter of the charity, we invite people to wear the supporters badge (B) - that's the one with just the smile.

With a little public awareness of our charity and the badge, public service workers and the general public will know when they need to give a little Care & Consideration, preferably with a Smile!

Initally we're piloting the scheme in the Guildford area and we already have amazing support from Arriva buses in Guildford. We have already had a training session about our charity to a group of their bus drivers, who will be our ambassadors - passing on their knowledge and training to all their colleagues.

The money we raise will go towards producing leaflets, badges, window stickers for buses, shops and restaurants. When you see a sticker in a window - you'll know the staff working there will know what it means.

Please help us to get our charity started. We're working with a very small committee at the moment - and all of us are volunteers. All money raised will go towards helping to raise awareness and eventually, when we are able, we plan to offer financial assistance to people for respite days out etc.

Please give what you can here, or contact us via social media or email if you'd like to give in other ways.

Find us on these links: Facebook, Twitter, and please come to our Charity Founders Pre-Launch Party on 23rd September in Guildford. Our email address is: CareWithASmile@gmail.com

Thank you for your support

The Founding Trustees and Committee