Children in the Escape-Cardiff group making Easter arts and crafts.
Can you help a Cardiff woman who is trying to organise an Easter egg hunt for children struggling with behavioural problems in Ely?
Jessica Magee runs a community group called Escape–Cardiff, which is made up of parents of children with behavioural problems from across the city.
Mrs Magee established the group in May 2013, after parents attended a course run by Barnardo’s, and meets every other Friday for a catch-up and to share advice.
The group also hold events during school holidays and Mrs Magee would like to repeat their annual Easter egg hunt and raffle, but may not be able to without donations.
“I run a group called Escape–Cardiff in Ely and this is a group set up for families with children with ADHD and other behavioural problems,” said Mrs Magee.
Mrs Magee, a voluntary worker and school governor at Glyn Derw High School, Caerau, is no stranger to parental challenges.
Jess Magee’s five-year-old daughter, Nevaeh doing arts and crafts with the Escape-Cardiff group
Two of her sons, Martin, 14, and Alex, 12, live with ADHD, opposition defiance disorder (ODD), conduct disorder and blood disorders. Her eldest son Mark, 16, suffers with dyspraxia, hypermobility as well as a blood disorder. She also has to care for her five-year-old girl, Nevaeh.
“These children are from loving, caring homes but struggle every day with the challenges they face and from social exclusion, due to people not understanding why the children behave like they do.
“Escape Cardiff also hold holiday provision to families during school holidays to help encourage families to work together and to spend some quality time together in an environment where they will not be judged about their parenting or about their child’s needs.
“Soon we have two events happening which are to be held during the Easter holidays. One is on April 2 from 10am till 12pm at the north Ely youth centre, Pethybridge Road, where they will be doing some Easter arts and crafts.
“We are asking for a £2 donation or two time credits per child, and the other event is the Easter egg hunt on April 7 from 11am till 2pm at the Ely and Caerau Hub, Cowbridge Road West, Ely, with a small donation of £3 or three time credits per child.”
The Escape-Cardiff group are involved in many positive activities in the community.
Time credits are a form of currency whereby people contribute time in helping their community and get an equal amount of time back in the form of a time credit to be spent on activities such as going to the cinema or theatre.
“Most of the children I work with are from families who don’t have much, and I don’t have funding at this moment in time,” added Mrs Magee.
“I feel really bad about having to let the kids down again. If there is any way you could help, please, these kids would be truly grateful, and so would I.
“To keep these events happening, I need a little help. I am asking for donations of Easter eggs or a raffle prize, or to help us towards the cost of the Easter egg hunt, and am appealing to the public and local businesses to help make this day happen for these families.
“Last year, we had more than 100 children and their families in attendance, and this year we are expecting more because we have had so much interest already. We don’t have an exact figure yet but I can see it being popular again.”
If you are able to help please contact Jessica Magee on 07876826119 or via the group’s Facebook page.
