HSBC Education Trust funds website expansion

Partnership for Children's website will be expanded and promoted over the next year, following a donation from HSBC Education Trust.

The first changes have already been made, with the site being redesigned to make it more visually interesting and easier to access. More photos have been added to the Gallery, clearer links have been added to other organisations and a new section has been added, showing visitors how they can help by raising money. It is also now possible to donate online.

The changes have been made possible by a grant from HSBC Education Trust, which will support the development of the website for the next year.

Director Chris Bale said the Trust's support had come at the right time, as the Zippy's Friends programme is being expanded to more schools in more countries.

'The website is such a quick and easy way to disseminate information,' he said. 'For instance, we have recently approached all the Local Education Authorities in England, to tell them about Zippy's Friends, and now they can just look at the website to see the programme materials and read all sorts of background information. We really do appreciate the Trust's support.'

Richard Hunter, the Trust's Executive (Education), is himself a former primary school principal and recently visited schools in Southampton, England, to see Zippy's Friends classes being taught.

'The first thing that struck me was that the children were enjoying the lesson, it wasn't a chore for them. You could see the anticipation in their faces,' he said.

'I loved the fact that every child was included. In fact, I remember thinking that I didn't have a clue which were the intelligent kids and which were the ones with problems because it was such an inclusive lesson.

'At the Trust, we look for programmes that will make a difference, that deliver something on top of what the national curriculum can offer. We particularly like programmes that will change children's attitudes to attending school, that will help them to become self confident and resilient and relate well to other people.

'Zippy's Friends matches really well with what we are trying to do. And, of course, although the Trust focuses on helping children in the UK, a global programme like Zippy's Friends has an added appeal to a global organisation like HSBC.'

In addition to supporting the development of Zippy's Friends, the website also aims to offer resources for parents and teachers of young children. Helpful texts and links are already available on coping with Bereavement, Bullying and Communication, and a new section on coping with Divorce and Separation will be added shortly.

> Find out more about HSBC Education Trust