Compass Group Foundation Awards Grant to Certified NPO Florence, as the First Recipient in Japan

In October 2024, Compass Group Foundation (“the Foundation”) awarded grant to Certified NPO Florence (“Florence”), marking its very first support initiative in Japan.

Florence, which has been operating Medical Daycare “Helen” for Children with disabilities in Tokyo for 10 years, is working to create a nationwide foundation for inclusive childcare. Florence is offering online training for childcare workers, enabling nurseries across Japan to also take care of children in need of medical care. By increasing the availability of such facilities, it is expected to increase opportunities for parents of children with disabilities.

The Foundation will support Florence’s activities for 18 months to expand childcare facilities and practitioners for children requiring medical care across Japan.

Florence’s Key Activities:

1. Developing and providing online training courses to enable practicing childcare for children with medical care needs.
2. Offering on-site training programs.
3. Providing ongoing support for nurseries accepting children requiring medical care.

Many of the child rearing responsibilities for medically dependent children are supported by their families, particularly mothers. Through this grant, The Foundation aims to promote inclusive childcare and support Florence’s efforts to empower mothers through increased employment opportunities.

About Certified NPO Florence

Florence is one of Japan’s largest certified NPOs, in the fields of child welfare and child rearing.

Founded in 2004 with Japan’s first cooperative, home-visit sick childcare service, Florence tackles issues such as child abuse, child poverty, insufficient support for families with disabled children, and isolated child-rearing families. In addition to operating a variety of childcare programs, Florence runs welfare projects such as “Florence Children’s Food Outreach Program” and Digital Family Social Work “OYAKO (Parent-Child) Chat” nationwide, while also engaging in policy advocacy efforts.

Among its many initiatives, Florence’s “Childcare and Support for Children with Disabilities” provides care and assistance to families, aiming to create a “new normal” in society.

Certified NPO Florence
https://florence.or.jp/english/

About Compass Group Foundation

Compass Group Foundation is an independent charity registered with The Charity Commission for England and Wales under charity number 1187218. Compass Group PLC is the principal funder. Its mission is to “improve the lives of people through education and innovation, empowering them to play a key role in the future of food for their communities.”

The Foundation awarded funding to 14 initiatives across eight countries where Compass Group operates. These contributions focus on creating inclusive job opportunities, empowering local suppliers, and providing emergency response.

The Foundation leverages the extensive network of Compass Group, the world’s largest foodservice company, to engage in social contribution initiatives, including:
• Creating inclusive job opportunities for disadvantaged groups.
• Supporting initiatives to small holder farmers and entrepreneurs to advance sustainable food supply chain.
• Providing urgent support in the case of global emergencies, such as donation to support humanitarian efforts following the earthquakes that affected Turkey and Syria.

Compass Group Foundation
https://www.compass-group.com/en/compass-group-foundation.html