Greenwich Hospital has awarded a three-year grant to The Naval Children’s Charity to support children and young people through its Life Chances programme. The programme provides support for all Naval children, not just those in crisis, offering opportunities to enhance their education, wellbeing and personal development.
The Charity has piloted different activities within the Life Chances Programme to assess impact, with outcomes confirming that participation benefits educational attainment and mental health while contributing to increased confidence, resilience, and a sense of identity.
The Life Chances programme is structured around three core areas – outdoor, creative, and education – with each area offering a diverse range of activities designed to help children and young people develop core skills, gain new experiences, and connect with peers.
The UK-wide initiative includes:
- Bespoke residential camps focused on physical, outdoor, and creative themes.
- School workshops tailored to enhance learning and personal development.
- Specialised activities for children and young people in Scotland.
- Careers and employment advice to support future aspirations.
- Expansion of the Youth Council, ensuring that young voices shape the programme’s direction.
Where possible, activities align with the Duke of Edinburgh Award, providing participants with formal recognition of their achievements, which can then be included on CVs and applications.
Most activities will take place during school half-terms and holidays, accommodating families’ schedules across different regions and up to 531 children and young people will be supported through the grant.
Deirdre Mills, Director, Greenwich Hospital, said:
“Supporting children and young people from Naval family backgrounds goes far beyond fulfilling basic needs. It is about providing opportunities for growth, fostering social mobility, and addressing the unique challenges Naval children face. The Life Chances programme provides pathways to enable young people to thrive, and as a result, we’re delighted to partner with NCC to make this possible.”
Clare Scherer MBE, Chief Executive, Naval Children’s Charity, said:
“Our Life Chances programme helps children build core skills, confidence, and resilience while enabling Naval families to support their children’s development. Ongoing evaluations help us to drive continuous improvement, and with Greenwich Hospital funding half the programme’s costs, its future is secure, allowing us to expand our reach UK wide.”
