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Educating young people

Education is a vital tool which unlocks knowledge and learning, enabling young people to fulfil their potential by opening up choices and opportunities. Through our targeted giving, the Foundation supports disadvantaged children and young people to help ensure they have access to education and opportunities for growth and development which many of us can take for granted. Funding is geared towards fulfilling equipment needs, providing training and supporting refurbishment projects, which will make a lasting difference for as many young people as possible.

We focus our efforts particularly on supporting children and young people up to the age of 25. When funding educational courses, we have a preference for those which lead to accredited and recognised qualifications.

In 2012, HCF made 243 education grants totalling £645,784.83.

Orchard Hill College, United Kingdom

Orchard Hill College in South London provides a supportive learning environment for young people with severe and complex learning difficulties or disabilities. Until recently it had no way of transporting whole classes of children. Students now have a specially adapted bus which has been greatly benefiting pupils. Team members at Syon Park witnessed the difference that the HCF grant made when a dozen students visited the hotel in the new bus, which was entirely funded by an HCF grant. The bus has been providing students with access to activities outside of the College grounds, including sports events, educational trips, medical treatments and cultural visits. These trips build the students' confidence and enable them to share enjoyable experiences. Funds for the bus were raised at the Foundation's flagship ball at London Hilton on Park Lane in 2010. The evening, sponsored by The Ability Group and celebrating HCF's 10th anniversary, raised £78,635 for Friends of Orchard Hill College, which will help at least 50 young people, and £330,000 in total for disadvantaged children.

"The new bus greatly benefits the students and staff. We are able to take out complete classes and have increased access to teaching programs and community facilities such as hydrotherapy pools, leisure centres and work placements. Thank you very much to Hilton in the Community Foundation and The Ability Group for making this possible."

John Holmes, Chairman of the Friends of Orchard Hill College

	Andreas Panayiotou, Chairman of The Ability Group; Simon Vincent, Hilton Worldwide Area President and Chair of HCF; Dame Maureen Thomas, Deputy Chair of HCF; Dale Macphee, General Manager of Syon Park; Michael Shepherd, General Manager of London Hilton on Park Lane; and HCF Director Simon Sheehan with Orchard Hill College staff and students in front of their new bus.