Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Kate’s crusade for kids of the future
Tea & chat at cafe for homeless Her chance to make a difference Duchess on her bid to boost tot development
CARING Kate listened intently as a recovering drink and drug addict told of his childhood trauma.
During a visit to the
Social Bite cafe in Aberdeen this week, the Duchess of Cambridge met founders, staff and volunteers at the charity for the homeless.
Many have been homeless and were helped back on their feet by the organisation.
She had a cup of tea with Simon Mckintosh who spoke about the abuse he endured from his dad from when he was six years old.
Simon ran away at the age of 15 before living on the streets on and off for 30 years until the social enterprise “saved my life”.
The Duchess asked: “Do you think if there had been someone who was a friend to you, a teacher, community worker perhaps, things could have been different?”
He said: “Most certainly. We need to get them early.”
IT’S been eight years in the making but finally all the pieces are coming together.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s work in the early years arena has been heralded as a once-in-ageneration chance to shape the way we think and feel about the way society brings up its children.
It’s no coincidence that over the past few months Kate has discovered a newfound confidence.
There is a steely determination to make a real difference.
Quietly, behind the scenes, she has worked tirelessly on this project.
It is hoped that Kate will actually succeed in changing lives for the better, which can only be seen in a positive light.
WITH three young children of her own, the Duchess of Cambridge clearly knows how sound early development plays a vital role in shaping a youngster’s future.
And the 38-year-old royal has told of her determination to help others improve the lives of British kids by drawing on her experiences of growing up in a loving, caring family.
In her biggest interview to date, Kate revealed how a granny devoted precious time to her, which she believes played a part in forging her personality.
She spoke about her landmark national survey to examine the importance of children’s early years development, heralded as the largest and most important of its kind ever.
One of her main goals is to build a support network that not only helps children but also new mums after learning that one of the main causes of death in young mothers is suicide.
Kate told parental blogger Giovanna Fletcher on her Happy
Mum, Happy Baby podcast: “It’s going to take a long time, I’m talking about a generational change, but hopefully this is the first small step… to start a conversation on the importance of early childhood development.
“It’s not just about happy, healthy children. This is for lifelong consequences and outcomes.”
Speaking about how she and Prince William are bringing up George, six, Charlotte, four, and 21-month-old Louis, Kate added: “If I take the experience from my own childhood, coupled with what I know now and what I’ve learnt from the experts in the early years sector, I think there’s a few things that really stand out for me. “One is quality of relationships. I had an amazing granny who devoted a lot of time to us, playing with us, doing arts and crafts and gardening, and I try to incorporate a lot of the experiences that she gave us into the experiences that I give my children now.
“There are also the environments you spend time in as well, a happy home, a safe environment.
“As children, we spent a lot of time outside and it’s something I’m really passionate about.
“I think it’s so great for physical and mental wellbeing and laying [developmental] foundations.” More than 200,000 people have completed Kate’s Five Big Questions on the Under-fives survey. The Duchess said: “I think if you look at who’s caring and nurturing children in the most vital period to the age of five, parents and carers are right at the heart of that, and families are right at the heart of that. “Although I’ve spoken to scientists and the service providers, it’s so important to listen to families. What we’re doing with the survey is asking people what is it that matters for them in raising their children.”
The podcast was the first Kate has taken part in. It airs today from 4pm. Bestselling author Giovanna, 35, who is wed to Mcfly star Tom Fletcher, spoke with the Duchess at the Birmingham launch of her survey on January 29. They had already visited a nursery in Stockwell, South London together, to talk about motherhood.
Mum-of-three Giovanna said: “We were just chatting. I love listening to it back, I love her honest answers, how articulate and intelligent she is about early years and passionate and playful she is when talking about her own kids.
“I had never heard her speak so openly before, so personally.”
Over the past month, Kate has toured the UK visiting nurseries, schools, a science park and a women’s prison to talk to dozens of people about how the initial stages of life are the most important for wellbeing later.