Our chosen charity is Shaka Warriors of Love, which helps township children aged 6 to 12 in Amanzimtoti, South Africa, grow up kind, confident and well: caring for animals, learning to handle big feelings, and reading for meaning. Like our practice, it cares for the whole person, so the next generation grows up holistically well and ready to take on life’s challenges with kindness.
Giving is always voluntary. It never affects the care you receive, and our team will never ask you during treatment. Our only thank-you is explained below.
Why we care
At Miserden we look after the whole person, not just teeth. Every day we see how much health depends on what happens in childhood: habits, confidence, and having someone who believes in you.
Many children in Amanzimtoti’s townships grow up around poverty and violence, where being tough can feel like the only way to be strong. Shaka Warriors of Love offers them another kind of strength: being brave enough to be kind. We chose it because it shares our hope for a next generation that grows up holistically well, healthy in mouth, body and mind.
“We have supported Belinda’s work with these children since November 2014, and we are proud to be the charity’s first and main supporter. Thank you for anything you choose to give.” TJ Nicolas, owner, Miserden Dental Practice
A Warrior’s month
- Weeks 1 and 2: the children care for and read to therapy dogs with the charity’s partner Edu Paws, learning patience and gentleness.
- Weeks 3 and 4: lessons in naming feelings, calming down and sorting out arguments without fighting, plus reading classes.
- Every three months: a supervised horse ride: trust, courage and calm.
- Every day: toothbrushing with the brushes and toothpaste we send, and a kindness challenge written in each child’s Warrior journal.
The charity’s UK partner
Shaka Warriors of Love works in partnership with The Wilder Network CIC, a sustainable development community interest company based in Stroud, just down the road from us (company number 13849668). The Wilder Network brings together sustainable development specialists, fundraisers, researchers and mental health specialists, and supports the charity with strategy, partnerships, governance and fundraising.
What your kindness does
Your gift | What it can pay for |
|---|---|
£10 | About a week of food for the therapy dogs the children care for and read to |
£23 a month | Roughly one child’s place in the programme (Sponsor a Warrior) |
£34 | One supervised horse ride for one child: trust, courage and calm |
£100 | Around three horse rides, or two months of food for the therapy dogs |
Based on the charity’s current quotes in South African rand (about R23.50 to the pound). Figures will be updated as the budget is finalised.
Ways to give, any time
- Sponsor a Warrior: a small monthly gift towards a child’s place: dog care, riding, books and transport.
- Plan members: add an optional £1 a month on top of your dental plan.
- At reception: put a donation in our sealed charity box, or add one when you pay.
- Books and kindness cards: drop off good-condition children’s books, or write a card we send to the children.
- Join in: our Cotswold charity walk and practice open day.
The practice also funds toothbrushes and toothpaste for every child, and donates 50p from each tube of Gutology toothpaste sold in our shop.
Give by card: call, email or fill in the form
To make a gift by card, contact reception and we will take your payment securely over the phone, or in person when you visit.
Call 01285 821220 Email reception
Keep your card safe: never send card numbers by email or in the form. If you email us, we will call you back to take the payment.
Download the donation form (PDF) to fill in at home and bring to reception. A copy is completed and kept in our charity file for every payment.
Donation form
A thank-you for gifts of £100 or more
If you give £100 or more in a year, you can choose to receive 20% off one hygiene appointment as our thank-you.
- One discounted appointment per donor in each 12 months, to be used within 12 months of your gift.
- For pay-as-you-go hygiene appointments with our hygienists (hygiene appointments are already included in our dental plans).
- The discount is capped at £25, has no cash value and cannot be combined with other offers.
- You can turn the thank-you down, and you will still be just as welcome.
Gift Aid is not currently available: the charity’s UK partner is a community interest company rather than a registered charity.
Our Wall of Warriors
With your permission, we add your first name and initial to our Wall of Warriors, here and on the board in reception, as a thank-you to everyone who helps. It is entirely optional: tick the box on the form below if you would like to be included.
Our first Warriors’ names will appear here soon. Could yours be one of them?
Our giving calendar
Through the year we mark a few special moments. Take part in any you like, or none at all.
When | Moment | How you can take part |
|---|---|---|
January | New Year kindness pledge | Start the year by pledging a small monthly gift or a one-off donation. |
February | Warriors of Love week (around Valentine’s Day) | Share the love: add a donation at reception or online, or send a kindness card we post to the children. |
March | Spring clean for a cause | Bring in good-condition children’s books for our book box. |
May to June | National Smile Month | Smile for a Warrior: our team takes on a sponsored challenge and patients can join in. |
18 July | Mandela Day | In the spirit of Mandela Day, give 67 minutes of your time or a gift to help children in South Africa. |
September | Back to school | Help fund Warrior journals, reading books and school supplies for the new term. |
10 October | World Mental Health Day | Support the children’s emotional learning: naming feelings, calming down and resolving conflict. |
13 November | World Kindness Day | Do one kind thing, and if you wish, add a gift at reception. |
December | Giving season | Give a Warrior a gift: books, a riding day or a month of dog care, in your name or someone else’s. |
Register to give
Online and monthly giving will open soon, arranged with the charity’s UK partner, The Wilder Network CIC, so every gift is handled safely and transparently. Tell us how you would like to help and we will let you know as soon as you can give.
Follow the Warriors’ story
We share news from Amanzimtoti in our newsletter and on Instagram and Facebook: what the children have learned, the kindness challenges they have completed, and how your gifts are being used. Photos of children are only ever shared with written parental consent, using first names only.
Our promises
- Every gift goes to the children’s programme, through the charity’s UK partner, The Wilder Network CIC, or our sealed, counted reception box.
- We publish the total raised each year.
- We only contact you about the charity if you ask us to, and never use your dental records for fundraising.
- Owner TJ Nicolas is a board member of the charity and takes no payment from it.