I'm hosting a Coffee Morning to help Harmeny Education Trust raise the final £195K needed to complete their amazing new Learning Hub in Balerno, near Edinburgh. Since my friend Neil joined Harmeny in 2010, I've come to know of the incredible works done by the team there. They support children who've had the worst possible start in life, enabling them to thrive and grow in a safe and nurturing environment.

As I’ve made more coffee and done more baking in the last year, than in the preceding fifty odd(!), it seems like a good idea to put those skills to good use in a beautiful garden by the Water of Leith (thanks Kate!), and to raise some funds for Harmeny.

Harmeny Education Trust provides care and education to children from all over Scotland who have experienced early years trauma due to abuse, neglect and severe family disruption. The impact of these early years' experiences is profound and the children struggle to manage their emotions and build positive relationships.

My event forms part of Harmeny’s #JoinUsInJune campaign, to enable Harmeny to reach their £3.1m Learning for Life Appeal target, to complete their new Learning Hub to deliver specialist secondary vocational and skills-based learning programmes, which will enable young people to remain at Harmeny until the age of 18 (until recently they could only support ages 5-14)

By doing this, a traumatic transition at 14 can be avoided and Harmeny will be able to provide the spaces and opportunities young people, impacted by trauma and adversity need to progress towards positive destinations and develop key skills for independent living after leaving care.

If you’re unable to join me on the day but would like to support Harmeny, you can do so here. All donations are very much appreciated. Thank you.