Future First projects

The SOS Nursery School in Kotajk, near Yerevan, has been running for over 15 years and is the only pre-school in the area. Children from the SOS Children's Village and local children receive early education and learn how to interact with other children, while preparing for primary school.

After 15 years, the school buildings are in need of renovation work and HSBC's funding will enable work such as re-lacquering the floors, purchasing new tables and chairs and replacing toilets to be carried out.

Up to 80 children, aged 3-12, from severely disadvantaged backgrounds, sometimes referred by the courts, will benefit from this project. Younger children will be encouraged to use their five senses more effectively through workshops on art and music, while older ones will work on a project about the four seasons, including creating a vegetable garden and planting trees. HSBC's funding will support a professional animator and other equipment to carry out the project for three years.

Children identified for this programme are given a two-week trip to the Albaron Centre in the mountains where they gain self-confidence, learn about teamwork and building relationships and have a chance to earn a first aid certificate. Children are chosen from families who are already receiving regular support from the Red Cross. Children's health often improves on the two-week programme through the fresh air and availability of healthy and regular meals. It has also been shown that school performances improve, especially if a child attends at least two Albaron sessions. HSBC has committed to support these sessions for at least three years.

This non-governmental organisation works to help illegal immigrant children who are living on the street in danger and isolation. The Enfants du Monde Droit de l'Homme centre offers a place to sleep and eat while the children receive counselling and help to learn or improve their French. They are integrated into the school system and activities such as cultural trips promote understanding of French society and culture. Teachers at the centre speak up to 22 languages. HSBC will part-fund this programme for one year.

The 'Game, Set, Solidarity' programme will provide educational, sporting and cultural support to children at risk of abandonment and those in families in difficult financial and social situations. Up to 60 children will benefit from HSBC's part-funding of the project for three years. The elements comprise children receiving volunteer help to reinforce the lessons they have been taught and also with homework, gaining access to learn to play tennis, and cultural outings to broaden the outlook for children who often spend most of their time in cramped and unhealthy surroundings.

After a pilot workshop in Marseilles, a music education project will be rolled out to children in all SOS Children's Villages in France. Workshops for children aged 5-18, who have suffered abuse and/or are traumatised, will run during school holidays over 18 months. The focus areas are on vocal technique, discovering musical instruments, choral work and interpretation through costume. Learning and singing songs with other children helps develop breathing, vocal control, teamwork, movement control, concentration and emotional expression and builds self-confidence and esteem. HSBC is funding the entire 18-month project for up to 180 children.

In a district of Barcelona that has a high level of social conflict, an education programme for 12-18 year-olds will aim to help those dropping out of school for reasons such as petty crime, immigrant integration problems, poor family relationships, racism and intolerance. The project will improve 50 teenagers' educational, emotional and social skills and help them achieve acceptance, integration and emotional stability. This will help their future employability and life skills. HSBC is part-funding the programme for one year.

Working in conjunction with SOS Children's Villages, around 112 children in the Bolluça Children's Village will receive English language training to improve their English literacy and options for their future career. HSBC will fund the project for one year, including the purchase of computers and other equipment to help the teaching.

While Turkey does not have a high number of street children, a large number of them are addicted to intoxicating substances (such as paint thinner). HSBC will fund a project for one year in Istanbul to help rehabilitated street children. Around 40 children will benefit from this programme by receiving specialised training to help develop their skills through courses which will give them a better chance to get a job.

The Depaul Trust works in the north west of England with young homeless people who have left education early and feel they have little chance of gaining meaningful employment. A project coordinator will work with the young people to change their perception that they are unemployable and HSBC will help set up taster sessions with employers to see first-hand what specific roles entail.

Up to 35 young people will be helped by HSBC over three years of funding through this project and will gain insight into potential employers and industries while developing confidence in their own ability to gain further education or training and hence secure employment.

There is a need to give additional help to children in care at the stage when they are leaving care in order to avoid them slipping into homelessness, pregnancy, substance misuse and other dangers. The looked after children project will help equip up to 36 children by motivating them and giving them skills and support to move into either a job or training, after leaving school. HSBC's support is over three years.

The Safe@Last project offers children who have run away from home or are at-risk access to a safe location and help with their problems from appropriately trained adults. HSBC's support over three years will help fund the Safe@Last helpline through which children can ask for advice and self-refer to the refuge.