Last year the Foundation was able to offer a crucial grant to the Children First ‘Family Support Service’.
The Family Support Service steps in to help vulnerable inner-city families, reducing the need for social care intervention and preventing high-risk families from reaching crisis point.
We know that, over our 43 years in existence, services such as ours have never been more needed.
Well trained, skilled and experienced volunteers are the lifeblood of this service, as such their grant, which allowed them to recruit and train 23 additional local volunteers, was more than vital.
Families are referred to this service for so many different reasons, including mental health issues, school exclusion, family breakdown or illness, but all share a sense of feeling isolated or hopeless. A significant portion of families are from very deprived wards in Derby, where worries and concerns can stem from or be compounded by poverty and lack of opportunities.
38 families were directly helped by the volunteers recruited and trained via the Walbrook Grant.
The volunteers provide one to one support, whether helping families access other services, providing practical help and advice or being there to listen and offer an emotional outlet. They can achieve fantastic outcomes for local families in the areas of finance and household budgeting, family routines and child behaviour, as well as general well-being.
Lucy* is a single mum with an 11-year-old son. She had cared for her mother for a number of years until she recently passed away, leaving Lucy struggling to cope with the grief of losing her.
After she died I felt so lonely but my volunteer has really supported me, so I could move forward, I have been able to access counselling and have had help with my son who is also having a terrible time accepting his Grandma has gone.
The Foundation are knowledgeable, interested and clearly understand the demands and challenges we face.
