Charity Initiatives
Initiatives to support vulnerable young people
The Alex Timpson Trust is always introducing new initiatives that help children to shine. Find out how we’re supporting fostered and adopted children!
Charity Donations
Generous donations are made to charities focused on looking after children.
Free Holiday Homes
Family time is important, so we offer FREE holiday homes to foster carers.
Free Jobs Scheme
Timpson shops offer some services for free, and instead ask for a small charity donation.
Free Books
Sir John Timpson’s books on attachment are available for free in Timpson shops.
Just some of the charity donations we’ve made
We donate to like-minded organisations to enrich the lives of vulnerable young people and raise awareness of attachment.
Black Country Cobras
Oak View Academy
Stockport School
Heads Together
Missing People
Home Start
Buckinghamshire County Council ‘we do care’ event
Blessing in Disguise
Lord's Taverners
Cumbria County Council
Youth Space
Gregg's Foundation
Wythenshawe Community
St Francis Children’s Society
Frampton Cottrell Community School
Read & Grow Society
Fulfil the wish
Resume Foundation
Rosy
Able Kidz
Wirral Hospice St Johns
Winston’s Wish
Happy Days
Calm Connections
Devon County Council – Teddy Bears Picnic Event
Children Seen and Heard
Free holidays for foster families
A relaxing holiday is an invaluable bonding experience, so the Alex Timpson Trust offers free holidays to foster families across the country. Here’s how it all works:
Free Holiday Homes
Based in Devon, Wales and North Yorkshire, foster families can stay in one of our beautiful UK holiday homes free of charge.
Apply Online
Nominate a foster family (even if it’s your own) holiday directly through our website. Applications closed until 2025.
Panel Decision
Once applications close, our panel then awards the free holiday to the most deserving foster family.
Free jobs scheme
It was through Alex’s inspiration that we developed our free jobs scheme.
The Timpson Group has raised over £4 million for children’s charities by simply offering our smaller services for free, and then asking customers if they’d like to leave a donation in our charity box.
Over the years, several children’s charities have benefited from our free jobs scheme including the NSPCC, Childline and most recently, After Adoption.
This simple approach is now being used in support of the Alex Timpson Trust. Every shop will have a collecting box and as always, our great colleagues are free to use their initiative to raise money for the Alex Timpson Trust in whatever way they wish.
Free books on attachment, written by Sir John Timpson
Based on 30 years’ experience as a foster carer, Sir John Timpson has written three useful, jargon-free guides on attachment. These books are available for FREE at any Timpson, Max Spielmann and Johnsons Cleaners shop – or can be bought separately online!
A Guide To Attachment
Written for foster families and anyone who wants to learn more about the disorder, John explains how attachment difficulties can impact a child’s behaviour and their ability to socialise and learn successfully.
The book highlights some key signs to look out for that may signal a child has an attachment disorder.
How to Create a Positive Future
Aimed at young people with Attachment, this little book offers some simple hints and tips that young people themselves can put in place to help them thrive and create a positive future as they grow.
Looking After Looked After Children
Educating the educators is one of the primary aims of the Alex Timpson Trust. This handy little guide for teachers is just the first step in raising greater awareness of Attachment in schools. Feel free to pop into one of our stores and share with a teacher you know.