In this series, we will introduce you to a member of our CharityWise community and highlight their incredible work. Each month, we will profile a different charity and give you insights into their mission, impact, and the challenges they face.
In our very first edition, we wanted to shine a light on a local charity based here in Worthing called, Andy’s Angels, founded by Kayla Shepherd and her daughter, Millie.
Last month, I had the chance to join Kayla at their Grief Play Cafe as they celebrated their 2-year anniversary. I witnessed first hand the incredible work they’re doing.
The CharityWise team extends a heartfelt thank you to Kayla for kicking off our member spotlight series! We’re eager for you all to discover more about Andy’s Angels and the meaningful work they’re doing within their community.
Kayla, could you share with us when and why Andy’s Angels got started?
My daughter Millie and I co- founded the charity after Millie’s dad died in September 2017. Millie felt so alone in her grief journey and needed to spend time with other children who had experienced a similar loss. So, Andy’s Angels was registered as a charity in June 2021, and we launched our Grief Play Cafe in September 2021.
What’s the mission of Andy’s Angels?
Our charity’s mission is to create a safe haven for grieving children and their families, offering support, comfort, and understanding.
What are you trying to achieve in your community?
We aim to maintain flexible services for bereaved children and families and collaborate with local businesses for fundraising efforts supporting Andy’s Angels. Our extensive work with local schools in our area focuses on raising awareness and providing assistance where needed.
I have a strong desire to expand our services with local ‘pop-up’ cafes within the next 2 years as we grow. This will enable us to support even more families in need of our services.
What are the difficulties faced by the people you’re trying to help?
The extended waiting lists for counselling support for children highlight the scarcity of readily available bereavement support in our local area when needed. Children can feel so alone when going through their grief journey. That’s why we provide them with a safe space to connect with others facing similar circumstances and emotions. We offer a special place they can call their own, a community where they belong, and we encourage them to embrace and accept whatever emotions they may be experiencing.
Every grief journey is different, so families might also be navigating the impact the loss has had on finances for example, so we try to offer support in as many areas as possible.
What are some of the most significant obstacles you’ve encountered this year while running a small charity?
The cost-of-living crisis and its ripple effect on families have also impacted businesses, reducing their willingness to donate. In the past, securing a single sponsor for a fundraising event was feasible, but this year, we’ve had to navigate and secure multiple sponsors to cover event costs.
Volunteer commitment and trustee recruitment pose challenges as people have less time to dedicate to our charity as volunteers, and finding the right individuals to co-opt onto the trustee board is a hurdle.
Have you been impacted in other areas?
Grant funding has become more challenging for us to secure, given the increased competition from numerous organisations applying for funds. Grant funders are also enforcing stricter selection processes, adding another layer of difficulty.
Financial constraints hinder our ability to advertise and market to a broader audience. However, despite these limitations, we strive to be innovative in exploring new ideas and opportunities.
Kayla, what accomplishments is Andy’s Angels most proud of?
We’ve achieved several milestones. In our first year, we secured a National Lottery Grant and over the past two years, our café has welcomed 657 people. Building awareness around Andy’s Angels is a top priority, and in the last year, we’ve successfully collaborated with and received support from over 70 businesses and organisations.
What approach have you taken to get people involved with your charity?
We have created free fundraising packs, and we attend many community events throughout the year. We have found that, the more people who see us, over and over again, the more likely they are to donate and or become involved.
Where possible, we also try to get volunteers involved. We have created Cafe and Youth Ambassadors who support our work in the community and are an invaluable resource for us.
People can also show their support by donating on our website or by attending one of our many fundraising opportunities or ‘open afternoons’ that we host.
What is your charity’s vision for the future?
I would love for us to have at least one more cafe in the next 5 years. I would also like for us to continue to build rapport with local primary and secondary schools so that all children can receive support at our Grief Play Cafe as and when they need it.
Thank you, Kayla. That wraps up our first member spotlight. If you’re interested in learning more about Andy’s Angels, feel free to visit their website.
If you would like your charity to feature as part of our member spotlight series, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
