Human Values Foundation – Winner of BA award – Charity of the Year 2009
Congratulations to the Human Values Foundation for scooping the Charity of the Year 2009 Award. It’s been given to the organisation for its commitment to providing younger people with the tools to make the most of their lives, at the same time enjoying the benefits that come from being considerate and compassionate towards their fellow human beings. The charity’s education materials give students an enlightened way of being that encompasses mutual respect for every living creature and the Directors of the publication wished to bestow an accolade that reflected this – well done!
The Human Values Foundation (“HVF”) has the important aim of helping to give young people the best possible start in life. This award-winning charity’s excellent education resources are making a significant contribution to the wellbeing and therefore the performance of individuals and to schools successfully achieving the required outcomes associated with the concept that ‘Every Child Matters’.
Former primary school teacher, June Auton, recognised that what children learn in the critical early years of their lives has a profound impact on their character, the development of their competencies and therefore their life chances. Bad behaviour was impeding progress and so in 1995 she established the HVF to promote and encourage a ‘whole school approach’ to the creation of vibrant, supportive values-based school communities.
Today the HVF offers two highly acclaimed, cost effective and time-saving publications – ‘Education in Human Values’ for primary schools (ages 5-12) and ‘Social and Emotional Education’ for secondary schools (ages 12-14+). These well designed, user-friendly programmes, each covering 2 to 3 years’ work, are laid out in easy, ready-to-use lesson plans full of practical ideas for assemblies and cross-curricular teaching and supported by an excellent supply of photocopiable worksheets.
Pupils explore, develop and practise positive, lasting values. The resulting life skills learnt in each session can be applied not only in the school but also at home and within the youngsters’ wider communities. The beauty of the programmes is that the values can be readily accepted and shared by all participants, whether they have a religious background or not… They develop calmness and understanding, build up self-esteem and on a larger scale, one of the outcomes is to help tackle problems in society such as crime, racism, drug abuse and violence.
EHV is taught using discussions, stories, songs, quotations, activities and silent reflection. Topics are wide ranging and include, for example, honesty, hope and optimism, integrity, caring and sharing, kindness and consideration, friendship, tolerance, compassion, happiness, respect and good behaviour.
SEE is based on the essential components of the EHV programme – but with a more perceptive approach for the older age group. It encourages discussions, debate and dialogue about the challenges of life and how to manage them. The two volumes of lesson modules contain group exercises, quizzes, role-plays and suggestions for related projects and areas for participants to explore further – either in the school or as homework… The topics include: rights and responsibilities, honesty, anti-bullying, good manners and behaviour, respect and positive attitudes, healthy and safe lifestyle, peace, harmony and non-violence, to name but a few…
Where schools use these engaging and enjoyable programmes, teachers have been delighted by the transformation. Students have expressed genuine pleasure in the helpful and positive framework for guiding their thoughts, decision-making and actions and the general effects the values are having on their lives. Parents and carers have commented on the marked and attractive changes in the children. Inspectors have reported on the outstanding ethos in schools that utilise the materials. The SEE programme in particular has been celebrated not only by educationists but also professionals assisting learners identified as needing extra support due to their particular circumstances.
As an independent and non-denominational registered charity, the HVF relies heavily on donations from those who recognise the importance of its inspiring work and want to assist with this very effective values strategy being more widely known and applied.
For more information, or to make a donation so that the HVF may continue its uplifting contribution to the health and wellbeing of society, please call 01403 259711, email yes2values@hvf.org.uk or visit www.humanvaluesfoundation.com
Alternatively write to: Human Values Foundation, The Coach House, Salisbury Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 0AJ.
