Red Balloon - Cambridge
The first Red Balloon was set up here in Cambridge nearly twelve years ago to provide a safe learning environment for children in the local area who had been bullied so badly they were unable to attend their mainstream school. Other Red Balloons have now been set up in Norwich and North-West London.
The charity provides an “intensive care” full-time education for up to fifteen children between the ages of 10 and 17 and helps them recover from the effects of the bullying they have experienced. Red Balloon is a haven for children to pursue their education in a safe environment whilst being given the necessary pastoral and therapeutic care. Once the students have regained their confidence, they are supported in their return to mainstream school, or on to employment or further education.
Red Balloon - Cambridge has now bought a Victorian house for the learner centre. The sponsorship money raised from Chariots of Fire will help pay for some of the specialist areas, including a small conservatory as an extension to the science lab. to enhance the students’ understanding of flora and fauna, and a workshop for electronics, computer assembly, modelling and claywork.
The practical hands-on activities which can be offered in these two additions to the house will help greatly in the recovery of the students from the traumatic experiences many of them have suffered
