I am organizing a charity art exhibition at The Concept Store, 340 King’s Road, London on Tuesday 13th February 2018. The event is called ‘Painting a Better Picture for Children.’ 

I have reached out to over 30 successful artists who are kindly willing to submit either a print, drawing, painting or sculpture. The price point is between £200 and £5000. Each artist is kindly donating at least 35% of sales to the NSPCC and more specifically the specialist team at the NSPCC Nottingham Service Centre called Jenny Farr House in Nottingham. My grandmother Jenny Farr is the inspiration for the exhibition as the service centre is named after her after her phenomenal support for the charity over many years. Next year will be her 60th year of tireless work for the NSPCC.

Jenny Farr House offers face-to-face support and counselling for children who have suffered abuse and neglect. Services at the centre include help for children at risk of sexual exploitation and a programme helping children in care called Life Story. All this is done with the professional help of a dedicated team of highly trained social workers. In the Life Story service, children are able to develop a coherent sense of identity by building a clear narrative about their life stories to date; and there is a focus on the art therapy room which is a safe space where young people can express how they are feeling through painting and drawing. Working with children in care aged 10-17 years (a group for whom there is a particular gap in provision) has proven to make a real difference to young people’s lives. Unlike adopted children for whom this process is a requirement, children in care often know little about their early lives which can have an impact as they grow up. Learning this information in an appropriate way provides crucial building blocks in helping establish a more stable future.

These services can only continue with all of our support and 90% of the NSPCC funding comes from volunteer fundraising – so your help is crucial.

The 13th evening will be an interactive and exciting event; I hope you can make it. This exhibition feels relevant and it is something I am incredibly passionate about and want to make a difference to the lives of these children.

Every childhood is worth fighting for.