News & Updates

Supporting a charity doesn’t always mean making a financial donation.

At RUSH 2The DEN, we’re incredibly grateful for every penny we receive, but we know that not everyone is in a position to give money. The good news is that there are plenty of other ways you can make a real difference.

Sometimes, your time, skills, or even a simple social media share can be just as valuable.

Here are 19 completely free ways you can support RUSH 2The DEN.

1. Share Our Social Media Posts

One click could help us reach someone who needs our support or someone who wants to help.

Every share introduces RUSH 2The DEN to a whole new audience.

2. Tell Your Friends and Family About Us

Word of mouth is one of the most powerful ways charities grow.

If you’ve had a positive experience with RUSH 2The DEN, tell others. Personal recommendations mean so much.

3. Recommend Our Services

If you know someone who could benefit from what we offer, encourage them to get in touch.

You never know whose life you could change simply by passing on our details.

4. Leave Us a Facebook Recommendation

Positive reviews help build trust and reassure people who may be considering contacting us for the first time.

If we’ve helped you, we’d love to hear about your experience.

5. Invite People to Like Our Facebook Page

Many people don’t realise Facebook lets you invite friends to follow a page.

It only takes a few minutes and helps us reach more local people.

6. Follow Us on All Our Social Channels

Following, liking and engaging with our posts helps social media algorithms show our content to more people.

Even a quick reaction or comment makes a difference.

At the moment, you can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

7. Volunteer Your Time

Whether you can spare an hour each month or help at a one-off event, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do.

Every pair of helping hands is appreciated.

8. Offer Your Skills

Are you a photographer, graphic designer, accountant, gardener, baker, entertainer or DIY expert?

Professional skills can save charities thousands of pounds every year.

9. Donate Raffle or Tombola Prizes

If you own a business or have unwanted new items at home, they could become fantastic prizes for one of our fundraising events.

10. Ask Your Employer to Support Us

Many businesses are looking for local charities to support.

Your workplace might be able to sponsor an event, make a donation, or organise a fundraising day.

11. Organise a Fundraiser

Coffee mornings, bake sales, quiz nights, sponsored walks and dress-down days are all brilliant ways to raise awareness and support.

Better still – they’re great fun too!

12. Vote for Us in Community Competitions

Many supermarkets, banks and national retailers run competitions where the public vote for local charities to receive funding.

Keeping an eye out for these opportunities and casting your vote when RUSH 2The DEN is nominated takes only a moment, but it could help us secure hundreds or even thousands of pounds for our services.

Every vote really does count.

13. Donate Unwanted Craft Supplies

Leftover wool, fabric, paints, beads, ribbons and other craft materials can often be put to good use in our activities.

Before throwing them away, ask if we can use them.

14. Share Your Story

If RUSH 2The DEN has supported you or your family, sharing your experience (if you’re comfortable doing so) can inspire others to seek help or get involved.

Real stories have a powerful impact.

15. Introduce Us to Local Businesses

Do you know a business owner?

A simple introduction could lead to sponsorship, donations, volunteer days or long-term partnerships.

16. Display Our Posters or Leaflets

If you work somewhere with a noticeboard or community space, ask whether you can display our information.

Libraries, cafés, GP surgeries and community centres are all great places.

17. Keep an Eye Out for Funding Opportunities

Many people come across grant schemes, community awards or fundraising opportunities through work or local organisations.

If you spot one, let us know.

18. Attend Our Events

Coming along to our events helps create a welcoming atmosphere, supports our fundraising efforts and helps spread the word within the community.

Bring a friend while you’re at it!

19. Simply Be Our Cheerleader

Sometimes the greatest support is simply believing in what we do.

Liking posts, encouraging others, celebrating our successes and helping spread positivity keeps our community growing.

Never underestimate how much that means.

Every Act of Kindness Counts

Supporting RUSH 2The DEN isn’t measured by the size of a donation.

It’s measured by people coming together to build a stronger, kinder community.

Whether you volunteer for an afternoon, share one Facebook post, recommend us to a friend or simply cheer us on from the sidelines, you’re helping us reach more people who need support.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we’re making a difference.

It’s been an incredibly busy few months here at RUSH 2The DEN, and we wanted to share what’s been happening behind the scenes.

While it’s been hard work, we’re so excited to finally say that our first upstairs room is now ready! River has already been let loose with the paintbrush, bringing the new space to life.

But getting here hasn’t been straightforward…

It Started with The Snug

The first step was closing The Snug, reducing our three-room venue to just two usable spaces while work got underway.

Then the demolition began.

• The craft cupboard came out.
• A hole appeared in the ceiling.
• The loft hatch was removed.
• A new doorway was created.

Everything was going according to plan…

Then the Building Had Other Ideas

When we finally got a proper look into the loft space, we discovered something we definitely weren’t expecting.

The concrete slab we’d planned around simply wasn’t there.

That discovery meant completely rethinking the project.

Instead of carrying on as planned, we had to remove the old bitumen, packing materials, floorboards and shims before installing brand new floorboards and steelwork.

As you can imagine, that added both time and cost to the project.

Then Came the Heatwave…

Just as the new steelwork arrived, the summer heatwave hit.

To make things even more challenging, the steels had to be spliced, which meant installing and hand-tightening 360 high-tensile bolts.

That single job took over two weeks.

Despite working through some incredibly hot weather, the fantastic team from Larkin Homes Ltd kept going. To stay safe, they worked upstairs during the cooler mornings before moving downstairs in the afternoons.

During that time they also:

• Replaced the ceiling in The Snug
• Built the secondary staircase
• Completed plastering
• Carried out electrical work

More Progress Every Week

Once the steelwork was finally in place, the supporting walls were built and the original beams removed.

Thankfully, that also meant the team no longer had to climb through the old support struts (or collect any more splinters!).

Flitch beams were then installed, allowing the first four Velux windows to go in.

At the same time, Commerce Windows Ltd replaced the kitchen and toilet windows downstairs.

Inside the building, the transformation has continued with:

• Wall insulation
• Plasterboarding
• Electrical wiring
• Decorating beginning upstairs

For the first time in around 50 years, the rear of our building is seeing natural daylight and fresh air.

Thank You to an Incredible Team

None of this would be possible without the amazing people giving their time, skill and hard work.

A huge thank you to the fantastic team from Larkin Homes:

• Chippy Dave
• Kev
• Connor
• Alfie

Along with:

• Jake, our electrician
• Chris, our incredibly skilled plasterer
• Our very own Bomber, the plumber

You are all absolute stars.

What’s Happening Now?

The team is now removing the old ceiling in the main hall.

That means all of our Tots and Youth Club sessions have temporarily moved into local parks while the work continues.

We’re still having lots of fun, and we can’t wait to move everyone back into our fantastic new mezzanine space once the dust settles.

The Next Big Question…

The next stage depends on one very important question:

Will we have to splice the remaining steels as well?

If the answer is yes, the bolts will be even larger than those we’ve already installed, the work will take significantly longer, and unfortunately the costs will increase again.

The unexpected steelwork has already added both time and expense to the project, but we’re determined to see it through.

We Still Need Your Help

After three long months, we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come.

There’s still plenty of work to do, and we’re continuing to raise funds to get the project finished.

If you’re able to help, we’d be so grateful if you could donate or simply share our GoFundMe page with friends and family.

Every donation and every share helps us get one step closer to opening an even bigger and better RUSH 2The DEN for our community.

When people think about donating to charity, they often imagine giving a large amount of money. But the truth is that some of the biggest differences are made by lots of small acts of kindness.

At RUSH 2The DEN, every penny helps us continue providing support, activities, and a safe, welcoming space for people in our community. Whether you have £20, 20p, or simply want to make the most of something you no longer need, there are plenty of creative ways to help.

Here are ten easy ways you can support our work.

1. Save Your Spare Change

Instead of letting loose coins build up in your purse, pocket, or around the house, why not put them aside for RUSH 2The DEN?

Keep a small jar or money box somewhere you’ll see it every day. At the end of each month, bring your collection to one of our donation tins or donate it online.

You might be surprised how quickly those pennies, 5ps and 20ps add up.

2. Donate Your Leftover Foreign Currency

We’ve all got that drawer filled with holiday money that we’ll probably never use again.

Whether it’s euros, dollars, or any other currency, those forgotten coins and notes can still make a difference. Many companies exchange foreign currency for charities, turning money that would otherwise sit unused into valuable support for local people.

3. Round Up Your Shopping

Many banks and shopping apps now let you round your purchases up to the nearest pound and save the difference.

For example, if you spend £7.60, the remaining 40p is set aside. Over the course of a year, those small amounts can become a surprisingly generous donation.

It’s one of the easiest ways to give without really noticing the money leaving your account.

4. Ask for Donations Instead of Birthday Gifts

If you’ve got a birthday, anniversary or another celebration coming up, consider asking friends and family to make a small donation instead of buying presents.

Many people are happy to support a cause that’s close to your heart, and together those small donations can have a big impact.

5. Join Payroll Giving

If your employer offers Payroll Giving, you can donate directly from your salary before tax is deducted.

It’s a simple way to support charities regularly, and because it’s taken before tax, your donation can go even further without costing you as much.

Ask your employer whether they offer the scheme.

6. Make Use of Gift Aid

If you’re a UK taxpayer, don’t forget to add Gift Aid whenever you’re eligible.

Gift Aid allows charities to claim an extra 25p for every £1 you donate, at no extra cost to you. It’s one of the easiest ways to make your donation go further.

7. Declutter and Sell Unwanted Items

We’ve all got things sitting in cupboards that we no longer use.

Instead of throwing them away, sell them on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Vinted or eBay and donate some or all of the proceeds to RUSH 2The DEN.

You free up space at home while helping support your community.

8. Take On a Fundraising Challenge

You don’t need to run a marathon to raise money.

You could:

• Walk 10,000 steps every day for a month.
• Give up chocolate, coffee or takeaways.
• Hold a bake sale.
• Organise a quiz night.
• Host a coffee morning.

Friends and family are often keen to sponsor fun challenges, especially when they know where the money is going.

9. Shop Through Easyfundraising

Did you know you can raise money every time you shop online without paying anything extra?

Thousands of retailers donate a small percentage of your purchase to your chosen charity when you shop through easyfundraising.

Whether you’re booking a holiday, buying school uniforms or ordering your weekly essentials, those free donations soon add up.

10. Leave a Legacy of Kindness

Many people choose to leave a gift to charity in their will after taking care of family and loved ones.

Even a small percentage of your estate can help support future generations and ensure that RUSH 2The DEN can continue making a difference for years to come.

It’s a lasting way to leave something meaningful behind.

Every Contribution Matters

It’s easy to think that only large donations make a difference, but charities like ours are built on communities coming together.

A handful of spare coins. A birthday fundraiser. Selling clothes you no longer wear. Shopping online through a fundraising website.

Individually they might seem small.

Together, they help us continue supporting local people when they need us most.

Thank you for every donation, every fundraiser, every share, and every act of kindness. We couldn’t do what we do without you.

“H has been attending R2TD for almost 1 year. It’s a lovely safe, secure and comfortable environment for children. H had not mixed with other children her age, was very shy and would not leave her care givers – also sharing was not her thing. At R2TD meeting other children she has grown so much in confidence, learning to be sociable, share toys and independently explore her surroundings. H visits 2 mornings a week. On a Monday she enjoys using the craft table, playing in the pit with toys, putting jigsaws together and generally enjoys playing with the various toys set out in the room. The toys are rotated so each week is something different which is a great idea. On a Wednesday H enjoys the puzzle table and toys that are set out for that day. Currently she is also attending Little Chefs from 11.30am to 12.30pm where she can learn to cook her lunch. This has been a great hit and H has enjoyed cutting her ingredients, learning the names different foods, mixing and building a delicious lunch to eat when cooked.  

I have visited R2TD for 6 years now. In that time I have used the sensory room which is such a lovely space for babies and the main hall with older children. Also attended meeting there which have been comfortable and given great privacy. All the volunteers are amazing, welcoming, helpful and very friendly. For a minimal charge children can have a great morning playing and meeting new friends, having a snack and drink. It’s also a great chance for parents and carers to socialise with the added bonus of a cake/pastry and cup of tea/coffee.” 

Share Your Story

Every family’s journey is unique, and we’d love to hear yours. Has RUSH 2The DEN made a difference to you or your young person? Whether it’s a boost in confidence, new friendships, happy memories, or simply having a welcoming place to belong, your story could inspire other families to join our community. If you’d like to share your experience, we’d be delighted to feature it on our website and social media.

We’re excited to share that some important improvements are taking place at RUSH 2The DEN this summer.

As part of our ongoing commitment to providing a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable space for everyone, we’ll be removing and replacing the ceiling in our main hall during the school holidays. While this essential work is being carried out, our main hall will be temporarily closed.

Our Activities Are Still Going Ahead

Although we won’t be able to use the hall for a few weeks, we’re pleased to say that our daytime Babies, Tots and Adults and Youth Club activities will continue throughout the summer.

Rather than meeting in our usual venue, we’ll be getting out and about in our local community.

On Sunny Days

If the weather is kind to us, we’ll be making the most of our wonderful local parks. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the fresh air, play, chat, and spend time together outdoors.

If It Rains

As we all know, British summers can be unpredictable! If the weather isn’t suitable for outdoor activities, we’ll arrange an alternative indoor venue for that day.

Please keep an eye on our parents’ WhatsApp group, where we’ll post updates about the location of each session whenever the weather changes our plans.

Summer Activity Schedule

Our daytime activities will take place on the following dates:

• Week commencing 20th July: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
• Week commencing 27th July: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
• Week commencing 3rd August: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
• Week commencing 10th August: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
• Week commencing 17th August: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
• Week commencing 24th August: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Thank You for Your Patience

We know it can be a little inconvenient when building work takes place, but these improvements will help us create an even better environment for everyone who visits RUSH 2The DEN.

We’d like to thank all of our families, volunteers, and regular attendees for your understanding and support while the work is completed. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back into our newly improved hall once the renovations are finished.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, and remember to keep checking our WhatsApp group for any location updates throughout the summer.

We look forward to seeing you over the holidays!

Behind the scenes at RUSH 2The DEN, a huge effort has been underway to reorganise our space and make room for even more activities.

It started with a small but determined team of three or four volunteers, making repeated trips between RUSH 2The DEN and our storage unit. Each trailer load took around three hours, and while progress was steady, it was clear we needed more hands on deck.

That’s when the cavalry arrived.

A brilliant group of 12 volunteers from GXO joined us, and everything shifted up a gear. With a team of five working inside RUSH 2The DEN, items were passed down from the loft, moved through the hall, and loaded into trailers and the minibus. Meanwhile, others worked tirelessly, travelling back and forth, unloading and organising everything at the storage unit.

It was a mammoth task that took the entire day, but together, we managed to clear most of the loft – something that simply wouldn’t have been possible without everyone’s help.

At the same time, our regular sessions didn’t stop. While running our usual tots sessions, volunteers were also busy clearing out the craft cupboard and reorganising toys from the Independence room into new drawer units at the front of the hall. This has created much-needed space to store craft supplies more effectively.

The hard work didn’t end there. On another evening, a dedicated team of volunteers stayed late (and some arrived early!) to empty the storage space above the craft cupboard, carefully boxing everything up and transporting it to the storage unit.

This is what RUSH 2The DEN is all about – people coming together, giving their time, and making things happen for the good of the community.

We couldn’t do it without you. 💛