A local children's charity is seeking help to cover the government's recent 40 per cent funding cut from the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF).

The Purple Elephant Project (PEP), a children's mental health charity based in Twickenham, is urgently trying to raise funds to continue the essential therapy services it provides to over 50 children and their families.

The Purple Elephant Project is based in Twickenham (Credit: The Purple Elephant Project)

In March, PEP was hit by the lack of clarity about whether the ASGSF would be renewed or not, leaving many families anxious about what lay ahead.

In response, the charity launched an emergency fundraising appeal to raise funds to provide continuity of care and avoid an abrupt end to critical therapy services.

On 1 April, following pressure from local MPs Munira Wilson and Ruth Cadbury, the government announced that the fund would be extended, but crucially, no details were provided.

This week, the harsh reality landed with the news that the funding available for each child has been cut.

This will have huge impacts on the level of specialist therapy that each child can now access, and the additional support provided for parents. 

Jenny Haylock, CEO of PEP, responded to the announcement, saying: "Like many across the sector, I was heartbroken to receive confirmation of the government's decision regarding the devastating cuts to the ASGSF.

"The implications for the children and families we support at The Purple Elephant Project are deeply troubling. 

"The reality is a 40% cut to funding for some of the most vulnerable children in our society, children who have experienced significant trauma and desperately need specialist long-term support.

"We are supporting families facing unimaginable challenges who are struggling daily with high levels of emotional and behavioural needs from their children. Many are exhausted and at breaking point."

 Haylock added: "These funding cuts are not just disappointing; they risk undoing years of progress. The support we provide will now, sadly, have to be reduced."

 She explained that the charity is having to make incredibly difficult decisions: scaling back on vital parental support in a bid to preserve therapy for children, revising and resubmitting funding applications, and communicating heartbreaking news to families who now face yet more uncertainty. 

 PEP is a small charity with a big mission: providing creative therapy to help bridge the gap in local mental health support for hundreds of children who have struggled to feel safe, express emotions, and process their life stories.

Last year, the charity supported over 330 families, delivered over 4,300 therapy sessions, and provided outreach in over 35 schools across Richmond, Hounslow, and surrounding boroughs. 

The Purple Elephant Project is supports local families and their children who are suffering (Credit: The Purple Elephant Project)

Although the cuts to the ASGSF directly affects children who are adopted or living with a special guardian, its impact has been felt across every part of the charity.

In recent weeks, according to PEP, the administrative burden of rewriting applications alone has inevitably taken "precious" time away from other children who also need support.

A significant backlog of applications remains across the country, which will take weeks to process, puts families in an "increasingly vulnerable position".

PEP continues to work relentlessly to support all its families with extremely limited resources.

The charity's emergency appeal is more critical than ever, and it says it would be "incredibly grateful" for local support to help bridge these gaps and continue its vital work. 

You can donate to PEP here.