News - June 2005
Zippy's Friends helping more children in more countries
Zippy's Friends has continued to expand strongly through the first six months of 2005.
Hong KongThe level of interest in Hong Kong has been particularly remarkable. Although classes are running in just 20 schools and kindergartens this year, the number is expected to shoot up to 160 from September. There has been extensive media coverage of the programme, prompting many enquiries from parents, and a recent presentation about Zippy's Friends attracted 700 teachers!
Other countries
Classes have also started in Canada and Poland, and the programme is expanding in other countries. In Brazil, the number of children enrolled in Amigos do Zippy this year is more than five times higher than last year, and there are plans to expand the programme to Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro. Agreement has been reached with Iceland's Public Health Institute to launch the programme later this year, bringing the total number of countries running Zippy's Friends to ten.
World Health OrganisationIn January, the World Health Organisation held a ministerial conference in Helsinki, Finland, to agree mental health priorities for Europe until 2010. Partnership for Children was one of only a handful of non-governmental organisations invited to the conference, and was able to introduce Zippy's Friends to new audiences.
Director Chris Bale said: 'It was good to see Ministers putting mental health squarely on the wider health agenda, and, in particular, committing themselves to promoting good health, instead of just treating ill health. That creates a very positive environment for Zippy's Friends, which not only promotes health but does so at a very young age.'
Donations
The first months of 2005 have brought major grants from two corporate donors.
GlaxoSmithKline, which has supported the development of Zippy's Friends from Day 1, is continuing to pay many of Partnership for Children's ongoing costs. The HSBC Education Trust is funding our website and the expansion of Zippy's Friends to more areas of the UK. HSBC offices in Hong Kong and Brazil are supporting the programme in their respective countries.
TrusteeOur Board of Trustees has been strengthened by the appointment of Fenella Rouse, an expert on organisational development, who has worked with non-profit organisations and grant-making trusts in the UK and US.
Fenella said: 'I am delighted to have been invited to join Partnership for Children's Board. Giving children the means and language to talk about how they feel helps them, their teachers and parents, and the adults they will one day be. It is a privilege to be involved in the work.'
