The Give Box
01543 212101 Three Nines Children’s Charity has announced a new partnership with BMT and Learning Resources (UK) to create innovative Calm & Care Kits for front-line responders supporting children and young people after traumatic incidents. The prototype kits were unveiled at the British APCO Annual Event 2026, where attendees explored them first-hand and shared feedback. Designed to offer immediate, trauma-informed comfort to children who are frightened or overwhelmed after emergencies or crime, the kits also include QR codes linking families directly to Three Nines for further support.
The kits have been developed through a collaborative process, with BMT providing operational insight, research and clinical validation, and Learning Resources contributing expertise in educational and social-emotional learning tools. Anne Campbell Gunn, CEO of Three Nines, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with BMT and Learning Resources to develop the Calm & Care Kits. Launching the prototypes at BAPCO allowed us to receive invaluable feedback from those who support front-line responders, which will help shape the next phase of development.” The project reflects Three Nines’ commitment to ensuring no child faces trauma alone, supported by its role as British APCO’s chosen charity until 2027.
Starlight’s Random Acts of Kindness Boxes are monthly packages sent to 20 healthcare settings, filled with practical and fun resources linked to celebration days. They are designed for Starlight’s Health Play Champions, a network of more than 200 health professionals who work closely with the charity to champion the importance of play in healthcare. Each box is created to inspire and support these professionals, while also bringing moments of comfort and happiness to children in hospital through meaningful play-based resources.
Supporting this initiative is a powerful way to recognise and thank Starlight’s Health Play Champions for the incredible work they do in helping children through some of their toughest moments. These small acts of kindness can lift spirits, boost morale and strengthen the sense of connection between Starlight and the health play professionals it works with, while also showing how valued they are and helping bring joy to children during difficult times.
In Kind Direct’s target with Joy of Play appears to be both ambitious and very clearly defined: they want to help 1 million children and young people in the UK access the play and learning resources they need to feel more confident, valued and ready for life’s opportunities. The campaign is positioned as a national initiative, building on a network of 60+ partners since 2022, and focuses on getting practical resources like toys, books, games, arts and crafts, Lego and sports equipment into the hands of community organisations working directly with families.
What stands out in the document is that the target is not just about distributing products, but about responding to a real need. In Kind Direct links the campaign to child poverty, the cost-of-living crisis and the fact that disadvantaged children are less likely to access clubs and enrichment activities. The case for the Joy of Play kit is strengthened by evidence that playful learning improves confidence, wellbeing and readiness to learn, alongside feedback from organisations saying these kinds of resources directly improve children’s happiness. Overall, the target feels purpose-led and evidence-based: reaching large numbers of children through trusted grassroots organisations, while using play as a practical tool for wellbeing, development and inclusion.