Hi Kate! Tell us a bit about yourself...
I am Kate Browning the Regional Fundraising Manager for the Honeypot Children’s Charity. I have been with the charity for 1 year and before that I was a Wedding and Event Planner and PA.
Tell us about Honeypot Children’s Charity?
The Honeypot Children’s Charity offers respite breaks and on going outreach support to young carers and vulnerable children aged 5 – 12 years old. These are children who may have a parent or sibling at home that has a terminal illness, mental health issue, substance abuse problem and the child is providing the care for the adult. This could be cooking, cleaning, administering medication, shopping, personal care, emotional support and all manor of tasks not normally expected from a 5 year old child. Many of these children provide full time care, while attending school full time. A large number of young carers struggle to concentrate at school, may get bullied, or be a very stressed child.
Each child gets an initial first time 4 day respite break at Honeypot House, as well as a birthday card, Christmas present, Easter egg and 3 visits from our specially adapted Playbus in their local community. The most important part is they come back every year for repeat weekend respite breaks, as well as receiving all the other additional support listed above. At Honeypot House we have 7 acres of grounds where they can play, a swimming pool, basket ball court, football pitch, a lake that they can row boats on, push bikes, go karts, art studio and so much more. It really is a magical place.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your job?
Getting to see the children at Honeypot House in the school holidays laughing, having fun, playing with other children and forgetting about their stressful responsibilities at home. It really shows all the hard work I do to raise money, does make a difference.
What’s been the hardest part?
Raising money and organising my time appropriately. I am responsible for raising money to support the children (it takes £1.5m a year to continue to offer our much needed services), donations of Christmas presents and toys, event organisation, volunteer management, managing another member of the fundraising team, corporate partnerships, individual fundraisers, major donors, networking and organising the days out for the children to places like Paulton’s Park (who very kindly donate lots of tickets for us to be able to take the children). It’s ensuring I fulfil each part of my role efficiently and prioritise my time accordingly.
What events have you got coming up?
We have some really great events coming up in the next 6 months that I am working on. I'm particularly excited about the Murder Mystery evening at The Balmer Lawn Hotel on 9th February.
You can find out more about Honeypot Children's Charity and how you can support the incredible work they do, here:
About Kate
Before joining Honeypot, Kate was a Wedding and Event Planner for many years and a PA before this. She had spent many years volunteering for charities and fundraising in her free time, but decided she wanted to make it a full time career and do a job that really benefits those that need a little helping hand. She then joined Honeypot in August of 2017 and hasn't looked back. Kate loves building relationships with individuals, corporates, families and organising fundraising events, all to support young carers and vulnerable children.
About the Author
Emma is the Founder of Women Who Do and a marketing consultant based in Winchester, Hampshire. If you'd like to be featured as a guest blogger for Women Who Do, you can contact her on emma@womenwd.co.uk or to join one of our events, take a look at what's on near you: https://www.womenwd.co.uk/get-involved
