With tears in his eyes, Earlham Primary School headteacher Jacob Oudegeest reflected on the impact of the Helping Hands Club on his students: “It allows them to meet adults that laugh, that smile, that allow them to be children. And that’s what makes it worth it, getting up every day in the morning … Helping Hands has given us the hope that our children so desperately need.” 

With the goal of helping vulnerable children in East London, two committed volunteers launched the Helping Hands Club in 2019, providing a safe, nurturing and fun destination during school holidays. Some of these children face challenges related to socioeconomic hardship, making these holiday clubs a welcome respite from the struggles that many of them face. 

Fast forward to today. With the involvement of HOPE worldwide UK in 2024, the programme has expanded to two London locations – Earlham Grove and Harrow – serving between 15 and 55 children during each club date. 

During a recent Helping Hands Club date on 20 December, two Helping Hands Club sessions were held across the two sites, with a total of 32 volunteers and 55 to 60 children for a day of high-energy fun and creativity. 

From lively games of hit-the-piñata to carefully prepared party bags and handmade seasonal greeting cards, the action-packed day was filled with laughter. In a touching moment of kindness, some of the children made cards for the volunteers.

One child even said, “This is the best day ever!”

But the clubs create more than fun moments for the children. In the words of headteacher Jacob Oudegeest, “for those four hours, they are made to feel that they are the princes and the princesses of this world, and they deserve to feel that way.”

When asked what made the day special, the volunteers shared their thoughts with us: