autumn newsletter 2013
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Daniel’s Den
NewsletterAutumn 2013
‘ These were words that were shouted by a voice in the crowd which provoked Martin Luther
King to tell the crowd (and the world) about his dream. And what a speech that was ... ‘Let
freedom ring!’
In September these words ‘Tell them about the dream’ were echoed at our
directors/trustees meeting.
So what is the dream of Daniel’s Den? What are our specific dreams for 2013-2014?
•We have a dream to see well managed teams of volunteers offering a warm welcome to a
safe and friendly toddler group. We want to build on foundations laid, making sure we are
encouraging new volunteers and offering the training they would like so that our groups can
be the best they can be.
•We have a dream to see the parenting postcards being used effectively to support the
parents in and beyond our groups in their parenting.
•We have a dream to see the funds being raised in order to cover all our running costs and
beyond.
•We have a dream to see communities being built up in our four locations through community
lunches, Dads Zone and a Saturday group for parents who can’t attend during the week.
•We have a dream to see the role of stay at home parents being valued and not looked down
upon.
•We have a dream to see the voice of the voluntary sector being heard and valued.
•We have a dream to see the network of groups within Brent and beyond growing in sense of
purpose and unity. That all families will have access to a parent and toddler group within
walking distance of their home.
•We have a dream that people will know about a group near them – thinking especially of our
new born baby cards and our new website.
Will we see the reality of these dreams in 2013-2014? We don’t know but what we do know is
– we need to pray, plan and put plans into practise!
Joanna GordonManaging Director of Daniel’s Den
Hi there …
New Website
Our new website is being launched on Tuesday October 1st 2013. This will
be able to be seen on all computers, ipads and iphones. We are delighted
with the way Helen and Cris Barrios have designed the new site and we
hope it will be a useful source of information for many. Check it out
In June 2013, Tesco donated 2 bags of bunnies to Daniel’s Den. Little
did we know that one of these bunnies would become Funny Bunny.
He started a photo diary very unexpectedly and soon had a following
on Facebook and Twitter. He even met and ‘talked’ to the
Bishop of London, Rev Richard Charteris, on the steps of St Paul’s
Cathedral.
One special day we went to an event for dads and asked them what
advice they would give to Funny Bunny who wants to be a dad one
day. The answers were fascinating.
•Make sure you find the right mum
•Don’t let your children grow up too soon
•You need to give your child emotional support and be physically
there
ambassador and champion fundraiser!Funny Bunny
•Be child focussed – sensitive to their needs. Create a
safe, warm and loving home. Be committed to a child’s
growth and development throughout their life
•The birth of my child made me more responsible – my
priorities had to change
•Dads should play more with their children and have fun!
Fundraising
Funny Bunny (along with friends from Daniel’s Den)
raised over £500 with a
sponsored hop, cake sale and an Unfun Run in summer 2013.
He inspired one of the directors -
Ron - to do a sponsored walk along the Capital Ring and £400 has been
raised. Thank you to everyone who
has hopped, baked, run, walked and
donated.
Did you know that £5 pays for fruit for each
session? We run 195 sessions a year – that
a lot of fruit!
‘Down Your Street’ is the second motto of Daniel’s Den (our first one is TEAM Together
Everyone Achieves More) and will be profiled this year. We want people to get a vision for DYS. There is someone living Down Your Street who needs to come to Daniel’s Den and you are the
best person to invite them. You are the best person because
You know the benefits of attending a group
You may speak their language
You can show them where to go
We want people to be looking out for others – not only people who live down your street but
people you meet on the bus, in the supermarket. Pass on invitations. We had a wonderful story
last year of an encounter a mum had with a couple of boys down her street.
One day last term a Polish mum came to me so excited I thought she was going to cry. It was her first day but she wanted to tell me how she found out about the group. ‘I was walking down
the street and I saw 2 boys. I asked them if they knew of anywhere could take my baby to play
and this little boy – he was about 9 years old – began to tell me about DD – where it meets,
what they do, how my baby would enjoy it and how I needed £1.50’. And here I am she said
and I am so happy to find you’. I was thrilled to hear this story and recounted it during the break
time, commenting about the theme of the Olympics ‘inspire a generation’. I said how wonderful
it was that this little boy was doing his bit in building community. A moment later a mum tugged
me and said how it was her son that had done this and how happy she was. This picture is of these two mums – Somalian and Polish, Muslim and Catholic – sharing a friendship that
otherwise may never have happened.
Focus on DYS (Down Your Street)
Who…?
Daniel’s Den is a parent and toddler organisation with a simple mission – to encourage and
enrich family life. For more information why not go to the web at to
see all the things we do!What…?
Daniel’s Den is a registered charity 1147172 and a registered Company 5303714. It is
independent and fully reliant on donated money, grants and fundraising activities.Why…?
We believe strongly that we should do all we can to encourage and support family life,
especially those who stay at home to look after their children. The project is faith based and is
based on biblical principles. It is open to all and is faith based, not faith biased.
Contact Us02089086986 07436273844
www.facebook.com/DanielsDenTogetherEveryoneAchievesMore
PO Box 987, Wembley HA9 1FX
The Brent Parent and Toddler Network designed and produced a card to be given to every new born baby’s family
in Brent. This card gives an invitation to the family to go
along to their nearest parent and toddler group and the Brent
Registrars are kindly distributing these for us. This is in response to people who say ‘I have been sat at home feeling
very depressed. I wish I had found you sooner’.
New Born Baby
Congratulations cards
Who?What?Why?