In January 2024, we were delighted to express our gratitude to Joy Pinkham for her extraordinary service as a founding trustee and for the many years of unwavering dedication she has given to KidsAid. At our recent Appreciation Event, we proudly recognised Joy’s remarkable contributions by naming her our Honorary Life Patron.
Joy’s vision, passion, and tireless commitment have played an instrumental role in shaping KidsAid into the organisation it is today. Her influence continues to inspire our work and will leave a lasting legacy for years to come.
Reflecting on the early days of KidsAid, Joy shared: “KidsAid was born on a cold, wet night in December 2007, in my kitchen at Hardingstone. It began as a gathering of professionals and concerned individuals, all acutely aware of the lack of therapeutic resources for children who had experienced trauma — through abuse, neglect, bereavement, or other distressing events. We knew that without timely support, these children risked carrying the burden of their experiences for the rest of their lives.
Starting the charity was no small feat. From securing Charity Commission registration and recruiting therapists, to finding suitable premises and raising vital funds, every step was a challenge. But our determination never wavered.”
Although Joy has since stepped back from her trustee role, her passion for KidsAid and its mission remains as strong as ever: “I am immensely proud and deeply humbled to have been named Honorary Life Patron. Not a day goes by without me talking about KidsAid to anyone willing to listen! The current team — therapists, management, and trustees — is the strongest we have ever had. KidsAid is in the safest of hands, and I continue to dream that one day this model will be available nationwide. No child should be denied vital therapy because of a lack of services or funding.”
From all of us at KidsAid, thank you, Joy, for your invaluable commitment, vision, and enduring support.
