Variety, the Children’s Charity, are delighted to announce that the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation have funded their 49th and 50th Sunshine Coach.

In September 2024, the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation funded a 17-seater Variety Sunshine Coach at Brook Special Primary School in London and Westcroft School in Wolverhampton.

For the special occasion, Variety’s brand-new Chief Executive Officer, Laurence Guinness, hosted special ceremonies with the school faculties.

A moment to celebrate

The presentations celebrate our long-standing partnership, providing life-changing opportunities for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Variety have delivered over 5,800 sunshine coaches for more than 60 years. To mark the 50th Sunshine Coach donated by the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, Variety welcomed representatives to celebrate this moment together.

Laurence Guinness, CEO of Variety, says:

Variety’s Sunshine Coach Programme has been a beacon of hope for disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK.

With support from the St. James’ Place Charitable Foundation, our specially adapted sunshine coaches have been breaking down barriers and opening doors to a world of opportunities for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Our sunshine coaches provide vulnerable children with educational and recreational activities they would otherwise be excluded from. These coaches foster independence, build confidence, and create lifelong friendships and lasting memories.

By supporting this programme, you’re not just funding vehicles; you’re driving change to creating brighter futures. Today, more than half of the 1.1m of children living with a disability (over 600,000 children) also live in poverty. Our partnership has never been more needed or relevant and we look forward to the continuing partnership of the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation.

From the bottom of our hearts we applaud and thank you for everything you do for children.

Our 49th Sunshine Coach: A warm welcome to London Representatives from the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation

For our first ceremony, we were delighted to welcome representatives for our 49th Sunshine Coach presentation at The Brook Special Primary School in Haringey on 19th September 2024.

The Brook Special Primary School supports 130 pupils who have significant needs including autism, global developmental delay, communication disorders, social and emotional difficulties, mobility issues. Laurence, our CEO, was delighted to greet representatives from the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation.

These were Adam Myers, Nick Barber, Mark Eliott and Carole Gray.

A Big Thank You from Brooks! 

On a sunny day, full of smiles, an unforgettable day was had by all at the Brook Special Primary School!

Headteacher, Maureen Duncan, together with Deputy Headteacher, Sukina Campos and Lowri Banfield, extended a warm welcome to the representatives. The teachers spoke of their immense gratitude at seeing their new coach.

The presentation was kicked off by a group of pupils who eagerly greeted the London team. They were also pleased to enjoyed the lovely display from their inhouse bubble therapist!

All were delighted and put at ease by their welcome.

With great delight, the faculty and pupils took time out of their busy learning schedules, to express their thanks and meet their brand new Sunshine Coach!

All were then led into the school, greeted by a chorus of African drumming! Much excitement was had by Variety CEO and representative alike. Truly a celebration of musical festivities! An unforgettable experience for all.

Maureen and her team then led the party with a tour of The Brook Special Primary School.

Celebrating 50 Sunshine Coaches!

In recognition of their incredible work, Variety CEO Laurence Guinness gave a speech, in which he paid tribute to the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation.

This was shortly followed by the unveiling of a very special bespoke St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation Sunshine Coach cake! It was a fantastic gift and truly, the cherry on top of a marvellous day.

Representatives Adam Myers and Nick Barber were proud to cut the cake! A moving and momentous occasion.

Adam Myers, representative from the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, says:

St James’s Place Charitable Foundation had a great afternoon at the Brook Special School: a place that has an innovative and visionary inclusive approach and a huge continuum of need.

Pupils live together in an aspirational learning environment, where every one of those needs is met. They endeavour to give all their children experiences that will help them to understand their world, to become self-confident and to be equipped to lead the lives they want to live in the future.

It was our pleasure to present them with a Variety Sunshine Coach, the 49th of the partnership.

CEO of Variety, Laurence Guinness, was joined by Richard and Hannah; key members of his team, and the St. James’s Charitable Foundation. The amazing children under the care of Maureen Duncan and her wonderful team made us all feel welcome and are truly inspirational.

For all of us that attended the presentation, the day will have a special place in our hearts.

Deputy Headteacher, Sukina Campos, says:

School is such an important part of our pupils’ lives and and of their families. It gives them a safe and secure place in which to thrive and make progress. Our aim is to help our pupils to grow and learn, but also to be able to thrive within the community; to grow into adults, who are confident and able to access the community they live in.

Our Sunshine Coach will be crucial in facilitating the daily activities of our cohort, such as daily excursions, after school and holiday activities. It will help us to support our pupils 5 days a week (occasionally on a weekend for respite or holiday activities and clubs).

Thank you so much to Variety and the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation.

Finally, before leaving, the staff put together a special mural with photos of what the pupils have previously achieved, and seek to with their new Sunshine Coach! Cake was served, as the team sat down with pupils for a meet and greet!

What an incredible display of thanks!

Our 50th Sunshine Coach: A warm welcome from Westcroft School

For our second ceremony, we were delighted to host a special presentation to celebrate our official 50th Sunshine Coach: a 17-seater for Westcroft School on the 27th September.

Westcroft School provides a safe, caring environment for students with complex cognitive needs. Westcroft’s core mission is to “realise your potential” for the 190 places pupils with complex cognitive needs that it serves every year.

Once more, Laurence, our CEO was delighted to greet the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation first-hand, by thanking the Foundation team and committee at Solihull. These were:

  • Catherine Ind, Head of the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation,
  • Carole Gray, Foundation Co-ordinator
  • Martina Nertney, Grants Manager
  • Jenn Gillstrap, Grants Officer

Representatives from the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation in Solihull included Greg Palethorpe, Vicky Bullivant, Chris Murphy and Tony Jackson.

Celebrating the Day

Headteacher, Mrs Sally Harper, was absolutely delighted to welcome representatives from the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation to Westcroft School.

Mrs Harper was pleased to present a parting gift to representatives from the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, as a gesture of their thanks.

After receiving this lovely gift, Greg Palethorpe formally handed over the keys to Westcroft School’s brand new Sunshine Coach!

Catherine Ind, Head of the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, says:

Our partnership with Variety has extended over many years and we are delighted to have reached this significant milestone of funding 50 sunshine coaches across the UK.

Hundreds of children have benefited and felt the impact of being able to enjoy new experiences outside the classroom, supporting their learning and development and increasing their confidence. It’s a fantastic legacy to be part of and one that has had a positive and lasting impact on so many young people.

Headteacher, Mrs Sally Harper, says:

The generous gift of a Variety Sunshine Coach from the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation means so much to the vulnerable children we support at our school.

Many of our children experience isolation, loneliness and a lack of opportunity to explore the world around them.

This Sunshine Coach will be at the core of delivering our Learning in the Community Curriculum, and will support children to develop the skills they need to live full and independent lives. Thank you to Variety and the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation!

Mrs Gale Brindle, who is the School Business Manager, says:

Due to our pupils’ learning needs, pupils cannot easily and simply follow the mainstream curriculum.

For our children, teaching must focus on learning basic life skills – with trips to shops and local amenities, along with getting out to local sports facilities, for activities, and the annual residential trips.

Our new Sunshine Coach will provide these opportunities. Thank you to the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation!