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An inclusive charity helping each child find their

unique potential using creativity & imagination

Award Winning

Our

Students

"A fun place with lots of really nice and caring people and having nice walks everyday and a place to be creative where your imagination is the limit.”                                  
     - 
says a 10 year old child with 'Superpowers' about Busy Buttons programmes. 
 

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SUPPORT THE PERFORMANCE

A vivid yet creative twist draws parallels between today’s Covid lifestyle and the realities of yester years. Sparked by the true story of the teenage Queen Elizabeth and her pantomimes during WW2, it showcases inspiring episodes of everyday children, their resilience and the human spirit, then and now. Busy Buttons CORE charity has been working remotely with groups of children and senior citizens from local care homes, to create ‘The Princesses’ Play’, an online theatre event using arts and culture as tools to address isolation, wellbeing, community engagement and participation.
 

This online performance, drawing from factual experiences, creatively bridges times. It offers the young and the young at heart, an intriguing snapshot of living history. The young performers used puppets, animations and illustrations all created remotely during Covid at the charity’s online sessions.

It was a delight working with the students from Alexander First School as they lent their singing voices to make us carry on with the wonderful memories created.
 

WATCH THE PERFORMANCE

This performance is completely free to watch, we want as many people as possible to see the beautiful work the children have created, and hear the wonderful stories they have to share. If you can and are able to,

please make a donation for this performance.

Please give generously and help another child who would so urgently benefit from a place to explore their potential through creativity with us. THANK YOU.   

Your kindness today will help make sure that more performances like this can happen. Your generosity will help children in our communities find and tell more stories from older generations. Your compassion will help more diverse groups of young people come together, to tell stories creatively and learn about themselves and the world so they can become the citizens our communities need.

Kindly supported by The Prince Phillips Trust Fund, The National Lottery Fund, The Department of Digital Culture, Media and Sport, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and WindsorYards.

An Online Theatre Performance inspired by
Queen Elizabeth’s World War 2 story

Online Theatre Performance for the family

Ages: 5 years to 101 years +

Online Theatre Performance

It was exciting to see this burst of colour growing with great joy and pride bringing the Fountain of Hope project together gradually as the Welsh Guards worked with the Busy Buttons team to install the art piece in Windsor Town Centre. The project, sponsored by Windsor Yards was designed by local charity Busy Buttons CORE, and featured 152 giant poppies made of parachute materials, beautifully adorning The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee monument in Windsor Yards whilst raising funds for The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal as Remembrance Day soon approaches. 

Parachutes and poppies are both symbols of hope.  Hope keeps us going and inspires many acts of kindness and bravery… ‘Lest we forget’. ‘The Fountain of Hope’ is a project remembering all those who gave their lives for our freedom to keep hope alive.

 

The poppies were not only made by the team at Busy Buttons CORE charity and volunteers, but also had local families from the Coldstream Guards and Welsh Guards participate in a family workshop growing the significance and a sense of great community spirit. It marked the first family event since the lockdown raising hope and positivity within the current new normalcy guidelines. 

 

“We really enjoyed being able to come here and be part of the remembrance art work, it was nice just to be out and doing something useful together.” said one of the participant families. 

 

People donated towards the Royal British Legion.

Fountain of Hope

Fountain  of  Hope

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A CONSCIOUS JOURNEY

"Inspired by a life-threatening event, Busy Buttons was born with an aim to promote creative expression, nurture imagination, make human connections, enrich and empower the lives of young people from diverse ethnicities and social backgrounds with varying abilities and needs. 

 

Over the years, Busy Buttons CORE has grown to continue in its outreach delivering vibrant inclusive programmes and events to the community promoting arts, heritage and culture. 

 

Addressing the recent global challenges, Busy Buttons has responded immediately by offering interactive programmes and virtual events encouraging safe but vital social interaction during lockdown, sparking creative imagination, encouraging discussion and inspiring 

children to reduce prolonged  passive screen time and engage in hands on activities. 

 

The world is undergoing a transformation and we all must respond to very new needs and situations simultaneously as they arise. Thus we aim to encourage our young people positively to rise to the demands of the unfathomable and unpredictable challenges with great ingenuity, imagination and a ‘can do’ attitude."

 

- Chairperson, Louella Fernandez-Lempiäinen

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BUILDING 
VALUABLE COMMUNITIES
FOR THE FUTURE

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PROMOTING ARTS, CULTURE & HERITAGE

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BUILDING INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES

“Just the pure amount of energy that emits from this charity is absolutely phenomenal and look what they have managed to achieve bringing communities together not only locally but globally” 

- Corporal Major Preston, Household Cavalry.

CURATING CREATIVE EVENTS

“I do commend you all in what you managed to achieve and what you’ve managed to do in this wonderful, fun and exhilarating exhibition. It is good for our town.” 

- Sir James Perowne, 

Governor & Constable of Windsor Castle. 

PARTNERING WITH ORGANISATIONS & CHARITIES

"I really enjoyed working with you today! I think your ethos of connecting with hard to reach audiences and giving back to your local community is great. You turned a disused shop into a small palace of wonderment..." 

- Olivia Armstrong, Windsor Castle's favourite storyteller.

SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE

"I know that without the confidence that my

experiences at Busy Buttons gave me I would not be feeling as good as I do now."

- 12 year old participant.

ENGAGING SCHOOLS

“The creative arts are in danger in our schools ......the creative subjects are squeezed out and financial pressure means that we cannot resource them. The free school workshops provided by Busy Buttons are a fantastic way of giving school children opportunities to take part in practical art and design which they cannot get elsewhere.”

- teacher from local school.

MEETING DIVERSE NEEDS

"My son has always struggled at school and in other settings due to his severe anxiety and his very low self-esteem.  Busy Buttons was the first setting which got to know him and to understand him and his individual needs."

- mother of 7 year old participant.

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Home: Videos

VIDEOS

Commonwealth Coronation Robes 1
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Commonwealth Coronation Robes 1

It has been an incredible journey for the Busy Buttons team once more as they worked with 300 local school children inclusively supporting them as they learnt about several diverse and fascinating commonwealth countries. Recycled materials were used to create Commonwealth Coronation Robes at Busy Buttons CORE charity in Windsor Yards for the school craft competition at the Royal Windsor Flower Show on 10 June 2023, at the York Club, Windsor Great Park. These clever and amazing creations of diverse cultures will be judged by David Emanuel and Angelica Bell. The robes were displayed in the ‘The Kings Secret Garden’ Children’s Marquee designed by Busy Buttons CORE Charity for the Royal Windsor Rose & Horticultural Society for the 5th year in succession. The marquee was kindly sponsored by Knight Frank. It was a delight realising ideas, helping the participating schools to create from imagination and encourage them to learn from experiencing. Thank you teachers and parents from St Edwards Middle school, Dedworth Middle School, Eton Wick School, Dedworth Green First School, St Bernards Prep School, Eden Girls School, Holy Trinity C of E Primary, Manor Green School and Arbour Vale School. www.busybuttons.org All Rights Reserved © Busy Buttons CORE charity 2023 Music Credit: This Town (feat. Ladysmith Black Mambazo) Jeremy Loops Written by: Edward Holloway, Jeremy Hewitt, Shibongiseni Shabalala, Thamsanqa Shabalala, Thulani Shabalala A Decca Record release; p 2021 Universal Music Operations Limited
Busy Buttons CORE charity - Creative Covid: A charity redefining learning
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Busy Buttons CORE charity - Creative Covid: A charity redefining learning

An experience endured together makes us blossom and thrive in multiple ways… We are proud to have strived together and supported our young people and families bringing great joy, creativity, hope and positivity in the community during these times. We would all like to say a big THANK YOU to The National Lottery Community Fund, the Government, Berkshire Community Fund, the Prince Philip Trust Fund, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Windsor Yards for helping us all keep creative and active in our community. Also a big THANK YOU to all those who supported, donated and volunteered and continue to do so to keep Busy Buttons CORE charity going. We truly have created wonderful memories to cherish with some delightful times online and when possible ‘face 2 face’ events with families even in these times. Looking back at the skills learnt and creative expressions in the very effective interactive online and ‘face 2 face’ regular classes in Animation, 3D Art, Illustration, Film Making, Fashion Design, Sewing, Puppet Making, Prop Making, Theatre Design, Costume Making and Sculpting we continue with hope on this journey together in lockdown 2 but this time more equipped with our experiences and working together responsibly to keep everyone safe. However we still do need you support so please contact us at community@busybuttons.org or visit www.busybuttons.org All Rights Reserved © Busy Buttons CORE 2020 Registered charity 1188606 Music Credit ‘Forrest Gump Suite’ by Alan Silvestri This composition ℗ 2001 Sony Music Entertainment
Busy Buttons CORE's 'The little GREAT Exhibition' - House Hold Cavalry
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Busy Buttons CORE's 'The little GREAT Exhibition' - House Hold Cavalry

A trumpet blast, the flash of a shiny cuirass, a dash of red and blue! Yes, the #HouseholdCavalryMuseum came to town on Sunday as part of the 2nd of 6 #CreativeHeritageEvents of The little GREAT Exhibition at 3-5 Windsor Yards Busy Buttons CORE Enthusiasts aged 3-86 years engaged in a very interactive presentation learning about #Victorian aspects of the impeccably dressed #RoyalLifeguards. It allowed for young attendees to proudly don some very heavy and cumbersome 'Jack boots', smart tunics, ornate helmets and more as part of the magnificent ceremonial uniform. The Light Dragoon cavalry pattern flintlock pistol, the 1882 Pattern Cavalry sword though heavy particularly took the boys fancy. The presentation was followed by a supporting #creativeworkshop by #BusyButtons further cementing the historical facts. he The 6 Heritage Events with our partner organisations are as follows 04 Jan- #Davinder #TOORcollection of #SIKHART 12 Jan - The #HouseholdCavalryMuseum 19 Jan - Royal Collection Trust,Windsor Castle - 'Little GREAT exhibition Learning Team from #WindsorCastle, 26 Jan - Windsor & Royal Borough Museum at The Little GREAT exhibitionMuseum 01Feb – Eddiespoke Historical Bicycles at The little GREAT exhibition 02 Feb - Windsor Carriages at The little GREAT exhibition - Windsor BusyButtonsCORE community heritage project is supported by #TheLouisBaylisTrust, Windsor Yards, #ThePrincePhilipTrustFund, #TheRoyalWindsorSummerShow, #TheWindsorEtonandAscotTownPartnership #EnRouteInternational OurCommunityEnterprise All Rights Reserved © Busy Buttons CORE 2019 www.busybuttons.org
Busy Buttons CORE -  Re-purposed Victorian SteamPunk Swimwear Fashion Show
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Busy Buttons CORE - Re-purposed Victorian SteamPunk Swimwear Fashion Show

The Busy Buttons repurposed Victorian SteamPunk Swimwear fashion collection is a celebration of Queen Victoria’s 200th anniversary. It has been imaginatively designed and crafted by the Busy Buttons Design Team assisted by 12 young students aged 9 -13years within a few weeks. It has been a great challenge using only 100% recycled fabrics to make this repurposed fashion collection highlighting on the importance of creating with a conscious awareness of the effects of climate change on our Earth. It has been a great learning experience for the young people. Guided and developed by the Busy Buttons in-house professional designers and the children will show off Victorian Swimwear with a SteamPunk influence creating a great showcase to celebrate the Victorian Era and the history of swimwear, on 1 June 2019 alongside professional models at Windsor Yards' Windsor Beach Fashion Show. This project, had students aged 9-13 years from our regular after school & weekend Term Time creatives courses, working alongside our newly started Teen Makers Club creatively engaging young people aged 11-15 years in community projects offering them great life skills, invaluable experiences, promoting the arts and growing a sense of wellbeing and community involvement. Councillor Samantha Rayner, Councillor for Eton & Castle Ward, Deputy Leader of The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Council, Trustee of The Prince Philip Trust Fund "Thank you to Busy Buttons who through design and fashion have produced an outstanding fashion show in Windsor in the theme of Victorian Bathing. In Windsor we are celebrating 200 years since the birth of Queen Victoria, this modern twist of sustainability and being conscious of the environment is a clever and unique way to capture both the audience and the participants. The children taking part showed huge talent with the skills in design but also confidence to walk on a stage and promote the stunning clothing. It was a joy to watch and full of positive energy shared with lots of proud parents, family and visitors to Windsor." Music Credit: 'Lone Digger' Caravan Palace ℗ 2015 Warm Music Photo Credit: Mark Edwards ME Photography All Rights Reserved © Busy Buttons CORE 2019 www.busybuttons.org
Busy Buttons CORE - Inspiring Valuable Communities for the Future
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Busy Buttons CORE - Inspiring Valuable Communities for the Future

IMAGINATION CREATIVE EXPRESSION TRADITIONAL SKILLS EXPERIENTIAL INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMES have all been fundamental components in Busy Buttons CORE’s creative programmes over the past years. Our ethos and vision has always been consistent, whether it be working with small groups of children with special needs on an inclusive, individual level as part of our Experiential Youth Theatre productions or while delivering creative community workshops to a diversity of 1000’s at Windsor Castle. A vision of promoting human interaction, nurturing imagination and creative expression over the past years has proved to play an important part in enriching and empowering lives of young people from diverse ethnicities and social backgrounds with varying abilities and needs. Busy Buttons promotes ‘Tech FREE programmes’, with personal interaction and hands-on activities. But given the recent global challenges, Busy Buttons has responded with a virtual programme making no exceptions and adhering to the same ethos of NOT promoting passive one-way internet use such as continuous screen time or playing online games. Instead, our programmes and events are about meeting with others, sparking creative imagination, encouraging discussion and inspiring children to spend time using their hands, away from prolonged passive screen time. Reinforced with this experience and deeply embedded ethos, we embrace the challenges of the next decade. The world is undergoing a transformation and we all must respond to very new needs and situations simultaneously as they arise. Thus we aim to encourage our young people positively to rise to the demands of the unfathomable and unpredictable challenges with great ingenuity, imagination and a ‘can-do’ attitude. Music Credit: 'Gang of Rhythm' Walk Off The Earth R.E.V.O. ℗ 2012 Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment All Rights Reserved © Busy Buttons CORE 2019 www.busybuttons.org
Busy Buttons CORE's 'The little GREAT Exhibition' - Eddiespoke Historical Bicycles
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Busy Buttons CORE's 'The little GREAT Exhibition' - Eddiespoke Historical Bicycles

Not long ago, one typical Saturday in the town of Windsor people spotted a man and a little boy riding a pedestrian Curricle/Dandy Horse and a child size Penny Farthing, respectively, yes they did. The man, Edwin Knight, of Eddiespoke Historical Bicycles, later on did explain WHY to a packed house at The little GREAT exhibition that afternoon but incase you missed it do read all about it as featured on this week's front page of The Royal Borough Observer newspapers or online, and don't miss Windsor Castle Carriage Tours in the article too https://www.windsorobserver.co.uk/…/18213596.little-great-…/ The little GREAT exhibition (15 Dec 2019 - 2 Feb 2020) celebrated the 200th anniversaries of Queen Victoria & Prince Albert and was completely free as well as volunteered, offering Creative Heritage Events, interactive history talks, guided tours, a big creative recycling element, school workshops and a warm atmosphere to relax and learn. A big thank you to all the partnering heritage organisations, private collectors, history enthusiasts Davinder Toor’s Sikh Art, Household Cavalry Museum Royal Collection, Trust Learning Team from Windsor Castle, Windsor & Royal Borough Museum, Eddiespoke Historical Bicycles, Windsor Castle Carriage Tours. We will be back later this year so do get in touch if you would like to be part of this. This Busy Buttons CORE community heritage project is supported by: The Louis Baylis Trust, Windsor Yards, The Prince Philip Trust Fund, The Royal Windsor Summer Show, The Windsor Eton & Ascot Town Partnership, En Route International, Our Community Enterprise CIC All Rights Reserved © Busy Buttons CORE 2019 www.busybuttons.org
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WE WORK WITH

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“Well done for the opening session which was great and imaginative and allowed the children to star -  and they were great , so confidence boosting for them.” - Chris Aitken, Trustee, The Prince Phillips Trust Fund

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GET INVOLVED

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ARE YOU......

  • a young person who could benefit from our learning and engagement programmes to boost your confidence, to explore and discover new skills?

  • looking to do your  Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards?

  • thinking of  doing the different levels to gain an Arts Award certification from Trinity College, London?

  • struggling to stay in school as you are bullied or suffering from anxiety or have 'Superpowers'?

  • looking for a gainful work experience? 

  • looking to make a difference to your life and the community by volunteering your time?

  • looking to help young people and the community by fundraising for a cause?

  • looking to make a donation towards supporting young people and the community?

  • looking for help or creative activities for your community event?

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Busy Buttons CORE Charity

St.Agnes Church, St Leonards Road, Windsor SL4 3DX

07952 418 212

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"Imagination is more

important than knowledge. 

Knowledge is limited.

Imagination encircles the World."

- Albert Einstein

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