The Purple Elephant Project (PEP), a charity based in Twickenham, says its facing a "critical funding crisis" that threatens to disrupt the therapy services it provides to adopted children.

With the imminent end of the government's Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) on 31 March 2025 (today), the charity is urgently appealing for public support to bridge this funding gap. 

The Purple Elephant Project say that ten years ago, when David Cameron was prime minister, he encouraged families to step forward to adopt.

His government launched high-profile adoption campaigns, promising families ongoing support through the ASGSF and rightly describing the long wait for children as a "tragedy."

A decade on, with a new government, the Twickenham charity believe those promises "ring hollow" and adopters now feel abandoned and are worried about the devastating consequences this could have on their children. 

"We simply cannot afford any interruption to our services for these children," says Jenny Haylock, CEO of The Purple Elephant Project.

"These children have already endured so much trauma and instability in their lives. The therapy we provide is essential for their emotional well-being and their futures.

"We urgently need the public's support to ensure we can continue this vital work without disruption." 

The Purple Elephant Project's therapy services are a lifeline for children who have endured immense instability, trauma, and loss.

Many of these children have spent months or years in the care system.

The charity's specialised creative therapies work with children as young as four years old, providing crucial support to help them process difficult life events, rebuild trust, confidence, and emotional resilience.

The PEP aim to raise £50,000 to cover the cost of weekly therapy sessions for the 50 children currently relying on ASGSF funding.  

To donate and help ensure these children continue to receive the support they desperately need, visit the Purple Elephant Project's JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/pep-urgent-appeal.

Supporters are also encouraged to share the campaign to help raise awareness and funds. 

To find out more about The Purple Elephant Project click here.

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