Donating to Crisis! - Donating to Crisis Charity for the Homeless!

Hello Everyone!

Firstly, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and that you created amazing memories with your loved ones! 

As many of you know, my 'good deed' for this month was donating to Crisis charity for the homeless, ensuring a homeless individual recieved this charity's amazing support this Christmas! 

Within my last post, I listed the services that are offered to individuals who attend Crisis at Christmas time, and will hopefully continue to use it throughout 2015. 

On this note, I thought I would share with you this link of an Art student from Preston who raised money for a homeless individual this month: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/dec/17/student-raises-thousands-of-pounds-for-homeless-man-who-offered-her-money

This story is something you have probably already seen, but something I feel cannot be shared and talked about enough. When reading this article, I was not only touched by the amount of money people had donated to this cause, but more by the intial act that triggered this fundraising. What I find amazing and so heart-warming about this story is the fact an individual who recieves so much prejudice and judgement offered money to another individual. Now the amount of my amazement may be considered shallow or judgemental of such a character, but nevertheless I love and respect the fact that this individuals situation had not succeeded in willing him to become bitter, something I think we would all somewhat expect and forgive him for. It is acts like these that speak volumes to society, and I respect this man for simply being gorgeously human. Learning about his kind character within this article, I am so thankful that he will now receive the support he deserves, along with a chance to rebuild his life.

Thank you all for your amazing support this year, and I plan to continue '12 Months of Giving' in 2015 with even more 'good deeds.' I hope your plans and goals for this new year are ambitious, and I will see you again in early January to let you know my 'good deed' for the month.

Be Good!

Kizzy :) 

December - Donating to Crisis Charity for the Homeless

Hello Everyone!

It is finally December, my favourite time of year!

Christmas for me, and I am sure many others, has always been about family and this year more than ever, I feel so grateful for the amazing support system that I am able to call my family. Since I was young, Christmas has been a day for showing appreciation for each other, creating memories, and sharing stories of "Do you remember when?"

However, at this time of year, it is also important to remember the individuals that do not have such luxuries this Christmas, and do not have people that they consider loved ones to share the day with. I aim to fully appreciate the presence of family this Christmas, and therefore wanted to help individuals who may not have theirs.

Therefore, for my 'good deed' for December, I have donated to the charity 'Crisis', reserving a place for a homeless individual to benefit from this charity's amazing work this Christmas.

Donating to Crisis in order to reserve a place for a homeless individual this Christmas not only means that they will receive a hot meal this Christmas, but also the offering of companionship, a full health check, specialist services (e.g. dental treatment), specialist advice (e.g. advice on detox services), and housing, as well as the chance to learn new skills through participating in workshops, and new hope for their future, through the help and support Crisis provides at Christmas, and aims to maintain throughout the year.

According to the information provided by Crisis, The number of people living on the streets across the country has risen by 37% in three years, with 77% more rough sleepers in London. Crisis aims to open 13 centres between 22nd and 30th December, offering homeless people companionship, care, hot food and warm clothing at a time of year that can be particularly lonely for those without a home or family.
Last year 4,191 people settled down to Christmas dinner at Crisis at Christmas. For many of them their lives had been shattered. They may have been the victim of domestic violence, been though a divorce, been made redundant or suffered ill health - something that could happen to any of us.

In order to reserve a place for a homeless individual to receive this support at a Crisis centre this Christmas, you can visit: www.crisis.org.uk/menu where you can donate different amounts in order to reserve one or more places for homeless individuals over this Christmas period. Alternatively, it would be great if you could visit the Crisis website: www.crisis.org.uk and learn more about the incredible work they do, in order to help those less fortune than us not just over Christmas, but all through the year.

Once again, thank you for all of your continued support of '12 Months of Giving', and I hope you all have a lovely Christmas. I will see you again before the new year to let you know what a difference the support that is given to Crisis makes this Christmas.

Be Good!

Kizzy :)

Promoting Anti-Bullying Week! - Creative Workshops for Anti-Bullying Week!

Hello Everyone!

So as you know from my last post, this month I delivered 3 workshops to different age groups at a local primary school, all subjected around Anti-Bullying Week! 

Within the workshops I delivered, the children I worked with were able to learn about all aspects of bullying, some of those being; what bullying is, the different types of bullying, the consequences of bullying, and the right thing to do if you experience bullying of any kind. In order to educate and promote the ideas of Anti-Bullying Week effectively to the children I worked with, I used my skills within Community Arts so that they could access the ideas of the workshop creatively, using role play, still images, and 'true or false' games. 

Delivering workshops subjected on a specific subject which a group feels needs discussing is always so rewarding and enriching. Throughout each of the three workshops I delivered, the answers and opinions the children were giving surrounding the subject of bullying were so satisfying to hear, and the results of the workshops were shown by the many smiling faces of the children leaving the school hall! However, two children in particular approached me at the end of my workshops, one expressing how she had been bullied and wondered whether she had handled the situation correctly, and the other thanking me personally for the workshop I had delivered as he felt his class needed to hear the information presented to them within the time I spent with them. It goes without saying that any praise or thanks I receive from delivering a workshop I appreciate and cherish, however these two individuals particular triggered the reinforcement of my love for Community Arts, and delivering creative workshops to individuals who both love and 'tolerate' theatre, in order to use one of my life-long passions for a good purpose, and to achieve a result that could change others lives indirectly as the participants of my workshops apply the knowledge they have received from the three workshops I have delivered. 

Educating children on the importance of Anti-Bullying, not just for a week within a month, but throughout their whole lives is so important, and I feel so lucky to have been given the opportunity to promote such a positive change using the skills I have for one of my passions.

Thank you all again for your amazing support, and I will see you soon for my post about my 'good deed' for December! 

Be good!

Kizzy :)

November - Creative Workshops for Anti-Bullying Week

Hello Everyone! 

So we have reached November now, and  I thought I would write a quick post on here, letting you all know my 'good deed' for November. I have been trailing the internet searching for fundraising events happening in November,  and came across a few options 'Movember' was a potential winner considering the amazing cause it is in aid of, until I decided a challenge is a challenge and I was really making it hard for myself! So I opted for one which is just as amazing and worthwhile, but slightly more realistic! 

This month I will be running 3 Creative Workshops in a local primary school, in aid of this year's 'Anti-Bullying Week'!

'Anti-Bullying Week' is an annual event that focuses on raising awareness of, educating people on, and ultimately ending bullying. The 'Anti-Bullying Week' event is particularly focused on within schools, and the event is used to educate their students on the effects and consequences of bullying, whether this be through literary work, or creative work. 

Throughout November, I will be delivering 3 Creative Workshops at a local primary school, which will use drama techniques: such as roleplay and forum theatre, aswell as group discussion and reflection, in order to educate students from 5-11 years old, on what bullying is, the effects bullying can have, and how to deal with bullying. 

I am so excited to have been given the opportunity to teach the different aspects of bullying through theatre, as I am able to use my skills, in order to give people options on the way they act, and allow them to realise the choices they have the potential to make towards others, which is what I love to do, and what makes me very happy. Of course we all make mistakes and we learn from them, but I have always believed that the pettiest, most random comment can have such an effect on someone else, and this is something that can be so easily avoided. Bullying isn't just a comment or an action you make, it's a look you give, or what you don't say, even though you have the potential to make someone happier, bullying is when you choose to not take that opportunity. Throughout all of my creative projects with people in the community, I have always wanted to make it clear that I am not offering an hour of preaching disguised as theatre, but an hour to open your mind, and to realise that you have choices, whether you are 80 or 8, you have a choice to do the right thing, even to do the 'better' thing. Even though bullying undoubtably happens in all stages of life, I am excited to educate these primary schools students within their childhood about the choices, they can choose to take with them and consider within adulthood. 

Once again, I just wanted to thank all of you for your amazing support with this project, and I will upload a new post at the end of November, letting you all know how the creative workshops for 'Anti-Bullying Week' went! 

Be good! 

Kizzy :)

A Hopeful Night! - 'A Night of Hope' with World Vision

Hi Everyone! 

So this weekend brought Halloween, and I spent mine carving a heart carved pumpkin in support of World Vision's 'A Night of Hope' campaign, in order to raise money and awareness for the children of Syria. After carving my pumpkin, sharing it on social media, and donating by text, I had a scroll through the 'A Night of Hope' hashtag, and had a look at other's posts supporting the campaign. The support World Vision, and therefore the children of Syria has received through this idea has been incredible, and it is so inspiring to see that many people promoting change for the better.

Here are some pictures from my participation in the campaign on friday! 

Once again, thank you all for the amazing support with this project, and I will see you in a few days to announce my 'good deed' for November!

Be Good! 

Kizzy :)

October - 'A Night Of Hope' for World Vision

Hello Everyone! 

Welcome back to the 2nd month of the '12 Months of Giving' project!

Now, I realise at the end of my last post I said I would see you again in early October, and that now it is only a week and a couple of days until October is no more (Where did the time go?!) But I promise I have been doing the behind the scenes bits for further months, as well as juggling school assignments and assessments as we approached the half term holiday!! Despite these everyday, normal person excuses, I must admit I had a bit of a idea block this month! I knew I only had two weeks within this month where I could potentially clear my days, and was determined to find a charity idea that meant you all could help the cause first hand too, without having to visit another Just Giving page with my face on!! Anyway, there I was on my commute to school, devising weekly plans of how I would get everything I needed to do done, listing, emailing, texting, and calling everyone I knew, racking my brain for a monthly good deed, when I glanced at the screen to check what stop my train had reached and saw a poster for this month's cause. So after all of the thinking and debating, mind mapping and list making, I realised that I better crawl out from behind my rock of hiding and dish out the goods! 

This month I am raising awareness and donating to World Vision, as part of their 'A Night of Hope' campaign for October. 

World Vision have launched their 'A Night of Hope' campaign this year throughout October, in order to raise funds to help the children of Syria who are constantly surrounded by fear and violence. The idea of this campaign is to turn this year's Halloween into 'A Night Of Hope' by spreading awareness for children in Syria who are experiencing consequences of the fourth year of the country's civil war, including deaths of family members, plus nights of bombings and fighting. 

World Vision's 'A Night Of Hope' campaign provides 3 easy steps to show how you can provide support and raise awareness for the children of Syria: 

1) Carve a heart within your pumpkin for Halloween

2) Take a photo of your carved heart pumpkin, and share your pumpkin on the World Vision Facebook or Twitter page, linking this '12 Months of Giving' blog, and using the hashtag '#ANightOfHope'

3) Text 'HEART' to 70060 to donate £5 to World Vision, and to help the children of Syria

To find out more about these steps, the 'A Night of Hope' campaign, or how you will support the work of World Vision, you can visit their website here: http://www.worldvision.org.uk/get-involved/night-hope/

The videos shared on this website, following one 8 year old boy Hani's story are so powerful, and are excellent for anyone learning about the charity, and the work that World Vision do for Syrian refugees like Hani. Upon seeing the poster for the campaign on my train, and visiting the website to learn more, I soon realised that although I had been stressing about assessments and school assignments for the past couple of weeks, carving a pumpkin, posting a photo to raise awareness, and donating by text message, was the least I could do as I watched a video of an 8 year old Syrian refugee within which he expressed "I love everything about school." The optimism and hopefulness shown within the promotion for the 'A Night Of Hope' campaign is so inspiring, and definitely something which I support not only in desperate circumstances such as current Syria, but across so many people's lives and situations. The way this cause stumbled into my regular daily commute shows just how easy it is to help another cause or individual, and I hope that you will take this opportunity with World Vision to change someone's life by following the 3 simple steps.

I will see you at the end of the month with pictures and evaluations of how I supported the 'A Night Of Hope' World Vision campaign, featuring my heart carved pumpkin, shared image, link to this blog, campaign hashtag, and donation text message! 

Be good!

Kizzy :) 

We did it! - Memory Walk for Alzheimer's Society

Hello Everyone!

So as many of you know, last weekend I participated in the annual 'Memory Walk' for the Alzheimer's Society in Oxford, as my 'good deed' for September. The fundraising event was a 10k walk around Oxford University Parks with a group of people, who just like you, wanted to support and raise awareness for Alzheimer's disease. Instead of describing how green the trees were, and how blue the lake was, I thought it would be much more interesting to share with you all some of my pictures of the day!

We started the day with a little 'warm up' walk to the University Parks, upon which we got very excited, and slightly hyper...not the best state to be in minutes before a 10k walk!

             
I took 'Stitch' with us in my rucksack as a lucky mascot for the challenge ahead. From participating in a charity run earlier this year, I knew that little things like a lucky mascot in someone's bag, or an 'I'm running for..' poster on someone's back could keep your spirits up, and make you continue with the challenge. Besides, it's nice to carry something with you that reminds you that although the day is for a heartbreaking cause, you are walking for positivity, strength, and to make a difference.

                 

When we arrived at the event, we approached the centre of the 'base', where there was a white tree, with white tags and pens. On this tree, people participating in the event could hang tags with dedications, memories, and sayings inspired by people close to them who are suffering, or have suffered from the disease. Although it was sad reading some of the things written on the tags hung on the tree, and realising just how many individuals were affected by Alzheimer's disease, it also gave so many people support and comfort knowing they were not alone, and determination for the challenge ahead.

             

The blue ribbon was cut, and we started the 10k walk with high spirits (thanks to Stitch!) and a feeling of determination and purpose after hearing some stories from people on the main stage who spoke about their experiences of Alzheimer's disease, and how the Alzheimer's Society had helped them.

The picture on the right here was taken seconds after she tripped over a rock...10 steps into the walk!   

                     


Half way through the walk, and we were definitely appreciating Stitch's ability to keep spirits high. We took comedic pictures, ate bananas, and gave piggy-backs in order to spur ourselves on, all of which were fuelled by our continual ability to make each other laugh instantly no matter the situation!

Overall, the day was definitely one I will never forget. It was so comforting to see so many people who had experienced or were experiencing the same as you, all coming together in order to embrace their situation, and using it to make a difference to others affected by Alzheimer's disease. Lastly, I would just like to thank everyone who donated money, in order to sponsor our participation in the Alzheimer's Society annual 'Memory Walk.' Throughout the event, you saw, experienced, or heard about so many ways in which the money raised would help those with Alzheimer's Disease, and anyone who contributes anything to this worthy cause should feel responsible for the amazing work the Alzheimer's Society is able to do because of your contributions.

I hope you enjoyed seeing how my 'good deed' for September went, and all of my memories of the day!
See you in early October to find out what my 'good deed' for the month will be.

Be good!

Kizzy

September - Memory Walk for Alzheimer's Society

Hello Everyone,

Welcome back to the 1st official month of the '12 Months of Giving' project!

Firstly, I'd just like to quickly thank everyone who has shown even the slightest interest in this idea, and for each of the supportive 'likes' and messages! I hope that through this project, we can achieve amazing things, and it means so much that you all are as excited about it as I am.

As I said (well...wrote!) in my first post, I intend to write 2 posts on here per month; the first about the charity or cause, and the 'good deed' of the month, and the second about how the 'good deed' went, and what it entailed. So, (as I hope is made obvious by that some what brief, but precise explanation!) this post will be all about my plans for September; what I'm getting up to, why I am doing it, and, most importantly, who it will help.

From a fairly early age, the concept of growing older, and eventually losing parts of your memory was quite a surreal, yet apparent idea to me. I always assumed that eventually I'd be in my 80's, and maybe forget a word or two from my favourite song, or forget to get the pint of milk that was on my list at the shop. However, although forgetting little things like this is some what inconvenient, they did not necessarily change or compromise my many other visualisations of myself in 60, 70 years time, nor did it even slightly affect those around me. Of course, these very hopeful, exaggerated, and slightly naive, assumptions of being older definitely became more realistic as I got older. However, it was not until more recent years, (and by that I mean a couple!) that I was able to not only understand the changes getting older brings, but experience the affects of these changes first hand. I was able to realise and experience how severe memory loss affects not only an individual's ability to reminisce with friends and family, but their ability to be independent, hold a conversation, show large amounts of emotion, connect with others, have confidence, explain their thoughts, or recognise people close to them. Before having a direct experience through someone close to me with the Alzheimer's disease, I had no idea the struggles and hardships a severe case of memory loss can have on the individual and their loved ones.

Therefore, as this month's 'good deed', I am participating in the 'Alzheimer's Society's Memory Walk' on Sunday 14th September, in Oxford.

The 'Alzheimer's Society' is an organisation that aims to improve the lives of individuals affected by dementia in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The organisation offers information, guidance, and support for individuals with dementia, and their families. They offer a wide range of resources and services for anyone and everyone affected by dementia from 'Alzheimer's cafes', where individuals can meet others who are in their position, whether it be living with dementia, or caring for someone who is, to memory-book projects, where individuals with dementia can use pictures and different visual aids from their own personal memory book, in order to enhance their memory and help them to develop conversations.
If you do not know about the 'Alzheimer's Society' already, or have limited knowledge on what exactly 'Alzheimer's disease' is, and what the organisation does to help individuals who are affected by it, I would urge you to visit their website by clicking this link, and have a look at the kind of things they do:
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/index.php

I am continually amazed at the work the 'Alzheimer's Society' does for individuals with all different types of dementia and their families, and as someone who has experienced the heartbreaking challenges of Alzheimer's disease, I definitely appreciate everything they do to improve the quality of life for someone with dementia. With a disease such as Alzheimer's, the symptoms that the individual experiences are so unique and personal to every case. Therefore, it is so important to have a organisation, such as the 'Alzheimer's Society' that shows every individual and every carer affected by dementia, that they are not experiencing the challenges of the disease alone, and that they are supported.

Appreciating this, the idea of participating in a sponsored walk for the 'Alzheimer's Society', in order to help with research and work that benefits anyone affected by the disease, was the perfect way to show these same individuals that however hard to cope with the disease seems, they will always have support and strength given to them by others.

My aim for this month, and this particular event is to raise as much money as I can for the 'Alzheimer's Society', in order to help them carry on the brilliant work they do, and support anyone and everyone affected by dementia. Therefore, it would be great for you, and everyone that you know, to donate any amount of money you can in order to make this event really worthwhile. You can donate by clicking this link: 
https://www.justgiving.com/keziah-memory-walk
Please feel free to share this link to all your family and friends, even if it is to simply spread awareness of the 'Alzheimer's Society'!

Once again, I hope you like this idea, and can show support for this very worthwhile cause in any way that you can! The 'good deed' for each month will not always be a sponsored event, or one that asks for donations. However, I thought it would be really beneficial to start off the 12 months with an event that will really make a big difference, and contributes to showing large amounts of support to people who, like all of us at some point, may need a little reassuring, and a little pat on the back for being amazing! 
Thank you again for your support, and I will see you later this month, with a new post featuring some pictures from the event (yes kids, we're getting snazzy!)

Be good!

Kizzy :)

The Big Idea...

Hello Everyone,

Believe it or not, I have been sitting in this chair for two hours, and have attempted to start this post multiple times. As per usual, my ridiculous idea-filled head is thinking a million thoughts a minute, making it virtually impossible to decide on an answer to one simple question...

Informative or Descriptive?

Do I give you the facts? Or do I give you the story? I'm a believer in most opportune things, but unfortunately making decisions at 23:30 at night is not one of them. Therefore, I shall give you both.

I, an 18 year old, 5 ft 2, youngest of five, hate being frustrated. Whether it is through anger, sadness, passion, or plain boredom, being frustrated with myself, others, or just life in general, is my absolute worst. For me, it is to be avoided at all costs. Since realising this about myself, I wrote endless lists. Lists of things to do, things to achieve, things to make sure happen, and promising plans of actions. I've always told people "Lists are life changing", for me, they are an organisation of thoughts and creators of security.

Earlier this year, the feeling of frustration was at a maxxxxx. (This is the descriptive bit by the way!) Several aspects of my life were what I'd consider "up in the air", a waiting game with no miraculous ending, which required me to just "what and see", or "take everyday as it comes." Now I, for one, love a good nail-biting X-Factor final just as much as the next girl, but for a 'list-maker', uncertainty is not always the one. 

On a more serious note, *Deep breath Kiz*, I was at a stage where no list I could scribble on a pad of paper and no plan of action I could conjure up late at night would give me any more control over what was happening. Nothing was going to replace the fact that I just had to wait. I had to allow for every action to be acted, every word to be spoken, and every promise to be made, and trust that whether or not it was 'part of my plan', it was meant to be happening just the way it was. 

Eventually, I decided that even though my annoying needs to do, well, just...something,  could not work it's usual magic, I could create something that it could. After weeks of mind maps and idea pages, (...see?..) I had an idea that I recognised would  be a big commitment, and would require a lot of work. But, if I pursued it and it was successfully realised, would open my eyes to the lives of people that differed from my own even more, and in return enrich my understanding of people, and the fact that whatever situation you are in, there is always someone wishing they had all that you have.

The Plan: (Here comes the informative bit!)

I would spend 12 months (a year, for all you logical thinkers) researching, planning (yay!), doing, and evaluating 1 'good deed' a month. Now, I know what you may be thinking, 'Woah! Kiz, how are you so rich and wealthy all of a sudden?' Well, flattering one, who said it had to be money?! Whatever the gesture, big or small, a charity run or a cake sale, the aim is to do something 'good' for anyone and everyone, once a month. However, in order to make my '12 Months of Giving' as beneficial and effective as possible, I will be writing 2 posts on here a month. The first to let you know my 'good deed' for that month and raise awareness for the charity or cause, and the second to let you know how it went. As we all know, 'sharing is caring' so if any of you, or anyone you know is interested in the charity, cause, or just the 'good deed' I am doing that month, I invite you to come along with me!

Anyway, I hope that from that peculiar explosion of thoughts, ideas, and general impulses, you are able to work out just about what the idea of this whole thing is. I realise it would have probably been wise to write this whole thing in the morning, but just pressing the 'publish' button rather than staring at a page of words in day light sounds better to me. I felt like the explanation was necessary in order to not be a random Randy, but I promise that we can all take our scuba diving goggles off now, and get our logical caps on, I do not intend to list my flaws and dive that deep every month! Hopefully, you will like the idea and come back in a few days to hear my plans for my first 'good deed' for September!

Be good!

Kizzy :)