Friends Of Hamilton
Charity 1173446
www.friends.hamilton.bham.sch.uk
Overview
Summary
Friends Of Hamilton appears to occupy a family-facing support role around autism and complex learning difficulties and disabilities in Birmingham. Its stated remit is unusually broad: it combines leisure and inclusion, practical advice, public education and research, and preparation for adulthood. This suggests an organisation seeking to address exclusion not only through direct support to children and young people, but also by improving family capacity and public understanding. The available evidence does not show how these ambitions are prioritised or delivered in practice.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Holyhead
Confidence: high
Direct evidence links the charity's current activity to Hamilton School. Birmingham City Council identifies the school's ward as Holyhead. The charity's current school-hosted page says it was established by Hamilton School staff and parents and funds opportunities, equipment, play schemes and events for the school's students and families.
- Hamilton School — Friends of Hamilton Charity page
Friends of Hamilton says it was set up by staff and parents of Hamilton School; it raises funds for the school, provides equipment and financial support for play schemes for its students, and holds fayres, fun days and autism-awareness sessions. - Birmingham City Council — Hamilton School directory record
Hamilton School is in Handsworth, Birmingham, and is recorded in the Holyhead ward. - Charity Commission register — Friends of Hamilton contact information
The charity's registered contact information uses a Hamilton School email address.
Remaining uncertainties
- The supplied Charity Commission activity description says the charity supports families with children with autism and complex learning difficulties 'in the Birmingham area'. This supports a possible wider beneficiary reach, but does not identify where services, events or play schemes are delivered, so it is insufficient to evidence additional Birmingham wards or a citywide operational footprint.
- The available current evidence does not establish whether Friends of Hamilton independently delivers activities away from Hamilton School, or whether all delivery is school-based.
- Hamilton School is the charity's clear operational host and principal physical base, but the evidence does not confirm whether the charity has dedicated premises within the school or uses other venues.
- No current evidence was found of a partnership operated by Friends of Hamilton that materially extends the charity's own geographical reach. References on the school website to other organisations relate to school provision and cannot safely be attributed to the charity.
Additional evidence needed
- A current Friends of Hamilton annual report, trustees' report or activity programme identifying the locations of play schemes, family support and events.
- Current event listings or newsletters confirming whether activities take place solely at Hamilton School or at additional venues.
- Information on the geographical origins of families directly supported by the charity, distinguishing beneficiaries' home areas from delivery locations.
- Current agreements or project information for any delivery partners working directly with Friends of Hamilton.
Areas of work
- Education/training
- The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives
Who they help
- Children/young People
- People With Disabilities
How they help
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A family support organisation with a wider social-change remit
The organisation appears to combine direct support for families with an ambition to influence how autism and complex learning difficulties are understood more widely.
Why it matters
This distinguishes it from a service focused only on individual support. It may be positioned to connect lived family experience with awareness, advice and research activity.
Show evidence
“We support families with children with Autism and complex learning difficulties in the Birmingham area.”
Source:Organisation“To advance the education of the public in autism and CLDD and to promote research for the public benefit in all aspects of this subject.”
Source:Charity Commission
Leisure is treated as an inclusion mechanism
Leisure, play and volunteering appear to be understood as routes to development, wellbeing and social inclusion rather than as peripheral activities.
Why it matters
This suggests the organisation may complement education, health and advice providers by addressing the social isolation experienced by children and families.
Show evidence
“To advance the education of persons under the age of 25 years with autism and complex learning difficulties and disabilities through leisure time activities.”
Source:Charity Commission“To promote social inclusion among children with autism and CLDD and their families by the provision of play schemes, leisure activities, volunteer activities, training, advice and information.”
Source:Charity Commission
Support may extend across the transition to adulthood
Although the organisation describes supporting families with children, its objects indicate a potential role for young people up to age 25, including preparation for employment or further education.
Why it matters
This may make it relevant to transition planning, where support often becomes fragmented between children's and adult services.
Show evidence
“To advance the education of persons under the age of 25 years with autism and complex learning difficulties and disabilities.”
Source:Charity Commission“Including by preparing for entry to any occupation, trade or profession on leaving any educational establishment.”
Source:Charity Commission
- Which services are currently delivered, and which charitable objects are aspirational or occasional.
- Whether the organisation works directly with young people, mainly through parents and carers, or both.
- Its partnerships with schools, health services, disability organisations or local community groups.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent activity reports or service descriptions showing programmes, reach and age groups served.
- Information on referrals, partnerships, volunteer roles and the experiences of families using support.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
We support families with children with Autism and complex learning difficulties in the Birmingham area.
Charity objects
THE OBJECTS OF THE CIO ARE: TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 25 YEARS WITH AUTISM AND COMPLEX LEARNING DIFFICULTIES AND DISABILITIES (CLDD) BY DEVELOPING THEIR MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND MORAL CAPABILITIES THROUGH LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES. TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF PEOPLE WITH AUTISM AND CLDD THROUGH THE PROVISION OF SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND PRACTICAL ADVICE. TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC IN AUTISM AND CLDD AND TO PROMOTE RESEARCH FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT IN ALL ASPECTS OF THIS SUBJECT. FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT TO PROMOTE EDUCATION (INCLUDING SOCIAL, ARTISTIC AND PHYSICAL TRAINING) OF PEOPLE WITH AUTISM AND CLDD IN SUCH WAYS AS THE CHARITY TRUSTEES THINK FIT INCLUDING BY UNDERTAKING TRAVEL IN FURTHERANCE OF THAT EDUCATION OR BY PREPARING FOR ENTRY TO ANY OCCUPATION, TRADE OR PROFESSION ON LEAVING ANY EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT. TO PROMOTE SOCIAL INCLUSION AMONG CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND CLDD AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE EXCLUDED FROM SOCIETY, OR PARTS OF SOCIETY, DUE TO THEIR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC POSITION BY THE PROVISION OF PLAY SCHEMES, LEISURE ACTIVITIES, VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES, TRAINING, ADVICE AND INFORMATION.