Today, Variety, the Children’s Charity, are delighted to officially release our Strategic Impact Report. The Report follows an in-depth national survey with all schools supported by the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation.

For more than 60 years, Variety have delivered over 5,800 Sunshine Coaches. St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation is a valued member of our community of supporters, who have helped us to achieve this.

Our report shines a light on the role that the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation has played in recent years by supporting Variety. With moving stories from local representatives, teachers and pupils across the UK.

A Milestone Moment

In September, we were delighted to celebrate our historic landmark, when the Foundation pledged their 50th Sunshine Coach. With a further 5 coaches planned this year, this now brings the total number of funded coaches to an impressive 55.

We are proud to highlight how St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation’s fleet of sunshine coaches makes a real tangible difference to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

With over 51,800 children supported across 55 towns and cities, their support has enabled over 193,500 trips and days out.

Laurence Guinness, CEO of Variety, the Children’s Charity, said:

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

With support from St. James’ Place Charitable Foundation, our specially adapted sunshine coaches have been breaking down barriers and opening doors to a world of opportunities for so many children.

Our Sunshine Coach programme provides 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. This is vital for the children we support with the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, given that over 600,000 disabled children live in poverty. Our partnership has never been more needed or relevant and we look forward to the continuing partnership of St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation.

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

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

We are delighted with our Partnership with Variety over the years and in particular, supporting the Variety Sunshine Coach programme.

The difference the programme has made to so many children across the UK has been phenomenal, opening up opportunities for their learning and helping them feel more included has really demonstrated delivering long term positive impact, which is what we aim to achieve through our funding.

Strategic Impact Report 

We invite you to explore our strategic partnership, please learn more about our collaborative impact here. 

Download Strategic Funding Report

Our partnership at-a-glance

Over the years, St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation has donated an incredible £1.4m. To put this into perspective…

Most schools reported that they use their sunshine coach once or more a day.

With £1.4m for 193,000 trips, that’s an average of just £7 to provide access for a trip.

Most importantly, we know that their help has transformed lives and unlocked innumerable life-changing opportunities across school communities.

98% of teachers very strongly agreed that their sunshine coach helped children enjoy:

  • Improved education, social and communication skills
  • Greater independence and access to local community
  • Greater confidence and emotional wellbeing

Thank You from Variety, the Children’s Charity.