Annual Report Adorddiad Blynyddol 2022 –2023
Registered Charity number 1160655 Rhif Elusen Cofrestredig 1160655
To support families with a child aged between 0 –14 living within the County Borough of Wrexham.
I gefnogi teuluoedd gyda phlant rhwng 0 a 14 yn byw yn ardal Cyngor Bwrdeistref Wrexham
Contents
| Item Chair’s Foreword Manager’s Reflection Treasurer’s Report Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Statements Management Committee Who Have We Been Working With? Facts and Figues Supported Family Stories Volunteer Development Strategy Volunteer story Counselling Thank You |
Page 1 2 3 4-9 10 11-12 13-21 22-23 24 25 26 27 |
|---|---|
Chair’s Foreword
A warm welcome to everyone and thank you for joining us for our 2022-23 AGM.
Once again, we have experienced difficult times this year with so many new referrals and funding becoming harder to secure. However, the team we have are dedicated to making a difference in the community and we all strive to change people’s lives for the better.
I have to say a big thank you to Mary, who steers the ship and ensures all the team work tirelessly together to deliver the professional service Family Friends is recognised for today. We are now supporting more families than ever and Family Friends continues to think of strategies to evolve and grow while delivering a bespoke service in Wrexham.
I am proud to say that Family Friends has been running for over a quarter of a century and we continue to grow as an integral part of the 3[rd] sector in Wrexham building positive relationships with all sectors working with families in need.
Our staff and volunteers are highly qualified and the organisation recognises the value for continuous staff development to meet the ever changing needs of the community. This ensures that each strand of our service is robust, professional and compliments the service delivery as AGM report 23.docxa whole. Building staff skills and offering several other forms of support to the family such as counselling or domestic abuse programmes, offers fluidity and helps the family improve their circumstances faster, this hopefully helps reduce statutory workloads and reduces risk to our organisation.
I want to thank our Funders who have stood by us and had faith in us to evolve through the difficulties of the ongoing effects of the pandemic which will continue for years to come. We are going into our second year of Postcode lottery funding which is unrestricted and they have been so amenable to changes during the year as we have needed them.
As we move forward, I feel very optimistic at what we will achieve in the future. We have a fantastic workforce and dedicated Trustees, plus with the continued support of our funders I am confident that we will be helping to support even more families in the year ahead and we will continue to search for funding to meet the ever growing demand in our Wrexham community.
Margaret Peet
Chair of Trustee Page 1
Manager’s Reflection
What a busy year we have had yet again, we lost some staff and gained some more, we have introduced a 9 month maximum support package for families to ensure we can still reach the families who are waiting.
Our fluidity of service ensures the best possible support package is delivered for each family we support. This in turn reduces re referral, builds independence and helps reduce statutory workloads.
In 2022-23 we received 173 referrals and we supported 187 families as some carried over from the previous year. Our referrals increase each year and we continue to look at ways we can reach more families on the limited funding we secure.
Big thanks go to all our funders but I would especially like to thank Post Code Lottery, they are so amenable to the ever changing needs of the organisation. This is so much better for us and the families we support and we hope that in the future more funders will understand that sometimes change is needed during the lifetime of a grant.
Ideally, we need more funding, bigger premises, more staff and more volunteers, I’m not sure that we will ever meet demand but we do what we can to reduce needs in the community and all our staff, volunteers and Trustees are so passionate about empowering individuals and making a difference to everyone, I know FF will continue to grow as a valued and recognised good service in Wrexham. We have positive feedback and recognition which is testament to this, our passion to build confidence and skills in our staff, volunteers and families will continue as this is key to development and moving forward in life.
The future looks very busy for Family Friends, my plan is to retire but I am confident that Family Friends will continue to work hard, supporting families in Wrexham to ensure that they reach the best possible outcomes and make positive choices in their lives going forward.
I would like to thank everyone who plays a part in making Family Friends what it is today from the funders who continue to have faith in us, the Trustees and advisories for the support they have given me and the organisation over the last year, the volunteers who all bring skills and experience to the organisation. Lastly I want to give thanks to the staff team, without whom I could not do my job, they are the cogs that make the organisation so successful in its delivery. It just leaves me to say a huge THANK- YOU to you all 😊
Thank-you
Mary Roblin, Manager Page 2
’ - Treasurer s Report 2022 2023
This year we received three new funding grants. In May from the Henry Smith Foundation and in December from the Peoples Postcode Lottery, both of these are for three years. In January we received a grant from the Police Commissioner’s Fund until the end of March 2024. Funders’ monies are paid either yearly, six monthly or three monthly at different times during the year. Family Friends has an ongoing staggered funding strategy with monies crossing over two financial years. The amounts carried forward for 2023-2024 are listed against each funder’s name under ‘Restricted Monies’ in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
The interest earned on the restricted reserves held in a Charity Investment Account has steadily increased over the year to £938.57 compared to £69.98 the previous year. Further increases continued and currently are averaging over £300 per month with these monies transferred to our HSBC current account and added to the fundraising total.
I present to you the accounts for the year ending 31[st] March 2023. The receipts and Payment Account shows how monies have been spent. The Statement of Assets and Liabilities shows where our funds are deposited and summarises the designated monies for which we are liable.
On behalf of the trustees I thank all our funders and donors for their support enabling Family Friends to provide its much valued service to families in Wrexham.
Wendy E Williams
Treasurer REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1160655
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RECISTERED CHARITY NUMBÉA.. 1160655 REPORTOF THE TRvsfEES AND UNAUDJTED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED31 MARCH 2023 FOR FAMILY FRIENDS (WREXHAM) Guy Walmsley Limited Charttted Aecountants 3 GroY¢ Road WrexhBm LLII IDY Page 4
FAMILY FRIENDS {WREXHAMI REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVI DETAIIS FOR THE YÉAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2O2J TRUSTEES W Williarn$ R Woodc¢ck B Grirriths M Peet M William5 Andr¢8 W#tson PRINCIPAL ADDR&gs The Salv10 Arniy Prtmi5e5 Garden Rood WTExh4rn LLI12NU REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 110th555 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER fjuy Walm51ey Limiled CThirtered Ac¢ounlants 3 OTove Rolld Wrexham LLII IDY Page 5
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AECIIPT5ANDPAYhlENISACtDIiNIs RECEIPTS ESOL Griit%ind Fknrtd S1LTrTr41Trin8&1h1y(hS Fmrthli 3,744.97 19,W. 92.fW. 25JW. 2423D. Hthrysmith Pear Fr[ Iom 202J4 lDD 22&k Polirccommwxr FF PareThlirq 45W)45 777. 6J98. fFun t¢nÈrtltdlicM nk&foiFChgNiy 4.SS9AJ TOTALRF.CEIVTS 24I.IN44 PAYMENTS J99S 2.71¥26 CosL. EveThi¥Trip5 e05ts. VOL tts5- SPA Z,792.55 4.454.41 4.6J6.76 l.yl01 PomBemdCarri Ewipmcnl 79.99 4,148.94 RcttcsthThrn1J SI >laTiL¥ 6$8.6J 2.7é5.4 22.781.01 Pwllcharées fire imRE 2.204.07 4.07070 24.08 12269 TripE¥thiCosls 1197.fA TOTAL PAYMENTS 234.7Jl 70 141TOFRECEIPI1PAYMErlI5l C•blf0diliYttreld k[l&ll1 )1 M•wl013.. Z9ZI 52.4M5 17
Page 7 AT 3LST 1023 20 2022 235.10 Tr..8l Bank tF¢6ts 73.fth.47 15 3SO.ty) 350. 251697 Marth 1022 PAIE Staff KethJthrfy 17,326.61 22,122.61 5N.(4) 48.952.70 60,895.26 370. 350.00 5,554.77 8J42.88 1,591.Dl 587.f8 Pear 2,184.2S 25,(th.(Q 13,684.71 I2,0.18 2,317.94 9,982.fy) 20.234.00 7,145.99 9.lQl.78 Herry (hkn2 Fsr51 Parent Stsff Rths, Trainky & tthky)t 8atkd*ed Payth OV0112024.3110312021 srE 22.91 14,000.fy) 3,071.89 997.n 1,769. ar Barth Interest 165 659.03 150 311.73 zs ..andweie it5 behayty.. Mr4 M Part Mr¥ WWIUIJrn•
Page 8 FAMILY FRIENDS (WREXHAM) REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
TRUSTEES
W Williams R Woodcock B Griffiths M Peet M Williams Andrea Watson
PRINCIPAL ADDRESS The Salvation Army Premises Garden Road Wrexham LL11 2NU REGISTERED CHARITY 1160655 NUMBER
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Guy Walmsley
Limited Chartered Accountants 3 Grove Road Wrexham LL11 1DY
Page 9
FAMILY FRIENDS
Management Committee 2022/2023
Trustees (voting members) Chairperson Margaret Peet Vice Chair Mel Williams Treasurer Wendy Williams Secretary Beulah Griffiths Individual Volunteer members Ruth Woodcock Andrea Stevenson
Representation on the Management Committee in an advisory capacity Prevention & Inclusion Service Julie Williams – Ty Ni Family Centre
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Who have we been working with? (health and social Stresses breakdown)
Family Friends works with a wide variety of issues and continue to grow in skills and expertise to meet and alleviate the individual issues our families face. Below is a breakdown of the kinds of health related issues we have worked with this year:
| AGM Health Related Issues | AGM Health Related Issues |
|---|---|
| Health Related Issue | Number of Families |
| Adult depression | 45 |
| Adult mental illness | 89 |
| Adultphysical illness | 11 |
| Adult withphysical disability | 28 |
| Anxiety/panic atacks | 60 |
| Child depression | 38 |
| Child development delay | 20 |
| Childphysical illness | 6 |
| Child undergoingassessment-behaviour/health concern | 56 |
| Child withphysical disabilityover 5 | 31 |
| Child withphysical disabilityunder 5 | 6 |
| Diagnosed ADHD | 15 |
| Diagnosed Autsm | 20 |
| FamilySuferingstress | 84 |
| HearingImpairment | 11 |
| Learningdifcultes children | 27 |
| Learningdifcultesparents | 9 |
| Pregnant Mum | 7 |
| Self harmingbehaviour | 1 |
| Self-harmingbehaviours in child or adult-please indicate | 20 |
| Sight Impairment | 4 |
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Protecting children and supporting families most at risk is something we care passionately about here at Family Friends. Below is a table that breaks down the types of social stresses families we work with have been facing over the last year. As you can see the list is very varied and presents some real challenges to the skills of our committed staff team. We have been able to do some key work with families most at risk to stop things escalating and helping to prevent a family breakdown.
| AGM Social Stresses | AGM Social Stresses |
|---|---|
| Social Stresses | Number of Families |
| Historyof involvement with statutoryservice | 82 |
| Child in Need | 6 |
| Child subject to TAC | 27 |
| Child taken of care & support | 2 |
| Children on Childprotecton register | 16 |
| Children taken of childprotecton register thisyear | 5 |
| Educaton issues | 17 |
| Ethnic issues | 7 |
| Familyin debt | 24 |
| Familyon benefts-excl Child beneft | 62 |
| FamilySupported in thepast | 8 |
| Historyof ofending | 7 |
| Isolated | 1 |
| Parent Inprison | 2 |
| Physicallyisolated | 38 |
| Sociallyisolated | 61 |
| Victm of crime | 12 |
| YoungCarer in familyresidence | 21 |
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-
- Facts & Figures 2022 20223 What a busy Year!!
----- Start of picture text -----
173
Referrals Received =
70
Referrals Returned due to full capacity or
reduced needs
Number of families supported including 187
some carrying over from last year
----- End of picture text -----
How many have we supported? 269 children, 146 adults in the last 12 months.
----- Start of picture text -----
35%
65%
----- End of picture text -----
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Our reputation is growing
As we have grown over the years we have established ourselves as a reliable service to refer to from other agencies. As testimony to our reputation and successful partnership working in the community as a useful organisation in families’ lives, this year we received referrals from 27 different referring agencies with the top four being:
Statutory services being the top with 70 referrals received WFIS-Wrexham Family Information service were second with 28 referrals TAC were third place with 27 referrals received
Finding a place in the heart of the community
This year we had 10 self referrals, which questions whether: -
-
Are there are enough agencies networking together?
-
Is it families are more empowered to seek help themselves?
-
Is it still the after effects of the pandemic with some agencies still not easily accessible?
Although the self referrals are less than last year, this demonstrates that the community know who we are, what we do and that we have been
approachable and easy to access throughout all the challenges we have faced over the last few years, but it continues to worry us that many families are in need but maybe not engaged with other agencies. The referrals are for a wide range of help:
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What have we been doing this year?
Throughout the year we have delivered a wide variety of sessions that cover many issues and offer bespoke support and care to families who need it most. Here is the breakdown of some of the activities/support we have achieved this year:
1 of our Volunteer activities :-)
----- Start of picture text -----
Weekly ESOL sessions
----- End of picture text -----
Walk & Talks
----- Start of picture text -----
Volunteer meal
Xmas party
3 Steps Programmes
4 Freedom programmes
Respite sessions
----- End of picture text -----
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Below are some of the things our families have said about us over the year in their end of support evaluations. Take a look:
| 92/21 22nd Aug 2022 |
Re: Trip to Greenwood. Fantastic day, loved it all. |
|---|---|
| 03/22 22nd Aug 2022 |
Re: Trip to Greenwood. Thank you do much for a lovely day! The kids and us have really enjoyed it |
| 139/21 22nd Aug 2022 |
Re: Trip to Greenwood. Myself and my 8yr old daughter had a lovely time and would like to thank the organiser. The only negative was the coach driver! We have made some lovely memories for the future, thanks again. |
Extracted feedback from our evaluation forms:
Case studies feedback -2023
Thank you so much for everything you have helped me with. I'm really grateful and I'll miss our sessions.
Thought you'd like to know also, XXX moved in with his mum last Monday and I've absolutely smashed my first week on my own. My house is tidy. I've stripped a few walls in the dining room. And the council provided a skip to clear the garden. Despite the snow, XXX came round on Sunday to help me clear the rubbish. Things are looking up. I am feeling really positive that me and the kids will be ok. Again, Im pretty sure it's thanks to talking things through with you that's given me this confidence that I can do things on my own. That I'll be ok. And I don't have to put up with rubbish anymore.
Wow, just wow, what a service!
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Completed Example of our End of Support Evaluation form:
Below is just some of the support given to one of our families
Name: FSw XXXX Date: ____Fam No: XXXX
Types of Support Given to Families
| Advice and Information | x | Activities home based | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signposted to a service | x | Familyfun club | x |
| Transition from social services | x | Trips | x |
| Practical support | Friendship/trust | x | |
| Transport | Reassurance | x | |
| Advocacy | x | Respite all children | |
| Crisis Support e.g. DAF,Foodbank | Respite some children | ||
| Child focused support | Activities awayfrom home | ||
| Emotional support | x | Training/events session | |
| Listening | x | Steps | |
| Motivation | Freedom(started not finished) | x | |
| Encourage | Freedom Forever | ||
| Other – Please specify |
Range of Issues Supported
| Accessinghealth services | Budgeting | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Legal issues | x | |
| Healthyeating | Benefits | ||
| Hygiene and information | Bereavement | x | |
| Home conditions/improvements | Form filling | x | |
| Financial | Transport | ||
| Relationships | x | Isolation | |
| Education | Loneparent | ||
| Basic skills - adult | Substance misuse |
| Basic skills - Children | Domestic abuse | x | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Mental health | x | |
| Self-image | Learningdisabilities | ||
| Confidence building | Self-harming | ||
| 11+ issues | Depression | x | |
| Routine | Ethnic issues | ||
| Housing | x | Disability | |
| Homework | School attendance | ||
| Household chores | Care and supportplan | ||
| IT Support | Childprotection | x | |
| Other – Please specify |
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Volunteer Benefit
| Socialising | Self esteem | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Confidence | Friendship | ||
| Employability | Attended training | ||
| Improved Knowledge | Qualification Achieved | ||
| Feel valued | Scheme involvement | ||
| Other – Please specify |
End of Involvement Form for Supported Families
Family Name and Number: XXXX 28.21___ (Optional) Please help Family Friends to ensure a quality service, make improvements and develop new aspects of our service by completing this evaluation form. Your opinions and comments are important to us. Rate on a scale of 1 – 5. (1 being poor; 5 being good)
| End of Involvement Form for Supported Families | End of Involvement Form for Supported Families | End of Involvement Form for Supported Families | End of Involvement Form for Supported Families | End of Involvement Form for Supported Families | End of Involvement Form for Supported Families | End of Involvement Form for Supported Families | End of Involvement Form for Supported Families | End of Involvement Form for Supported Families | End of Involvement Form for Supported Families | End of Involvement Form for Supported Families | End of Involvement Form for Supported Families | End of Involvement Form for Supported Families | End of Involvement Form for Supported Families |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Name and Number: XXXX 28.21___ (Optional) Please help Family Friends to ensure a quality service, make improvements and develop new aspects of our service by completing this evaluation form. Your opinions and comments are important to us. Rate on a scale of 1 – 5. (1 being poor; 5 being good) |
|||||||||||||
| Please tick the services you |
Family Suppor |
Steps Prog. |
Freedom Prog. |
Disability Play |
Family Education |
Fun Club |
Other (please specify) ~~o~~ |
||||||
have accessed |
t Work | support | |||||||||||
| X | X | X | |||||||||||
| Please answer the following questions as honestly as you can:(please write N/A in comment box if not applicable to the servicedyou accessed) |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Comments r |
|||||||
| How useful and informative did you find your first visit from your coordinator and or Family Support Worker? |
X | 0—14 | |||||||||||
| How useful have you found your ongoing contact with your coordinator and or Family Support Worker? |
X | ||||||||||||
| How well matched were you to your volunteer or family support worker? |
X | ||||||||||||
| How well did you feel treated bythe staff and volunteers in |
X |
| FamilyFriends? | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| How useful was Family Friends toyour family? |
X | |||||
| Has Family Friends helped you move towards your goals? |
Yes | Please comment They made such a difference to my life in apositive way |
||||
| Has Family Friends made a positive difference toyour life? |
Yes | |||||
| Have you had any difficulties with any areas of our service? |
None | |||||
| Is there anything you would like to suggest that would help improve our existing provision? |
More support workers & more get together in groups |
|||||
| Would you like to be put on a waiting list for any of our upcoming training? (Steps, Freedom Programme, Volunteer preparation) |
Please indicate: I have attended STEPS and it helped me see how some people who I thought was helping me are actually not good for me. PTO |
|||||
| Any other comments? | Keep doing what you do, it is the best service ever! |
Thank you for taking the time to complete this evaluation form.
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As part of good practice, we carry out a monthly check on how families are finding support with Family Friends-this ensures the match or the support is working and to gather real feedback from the families we support.
In our recent audit we have heard from many of our families about how the support they are receiving right now today is making a difference in their lives. Here are what our families have been saying about their Family Friends support workers:
“Reliable, kind and she listens, can’t thank her enough”
‘Someone to vent off to!’
I’m over the moon with her. I can talk openly and she is on the ball with everything” “It’s going great. She is lovely. I really appreciate her as well. She gives me the best possible advice. It’s like we have a really good connection”
‘Group can be a bit quiet but the Playworkers make sure everyone is welcome and happy’
‘I am not judged at Family friends and they have helped me turn my life around’ ‘I may not be here now, if it wasn’t for Family Friends’
‘Steps course helped me change myself inside, Lisa & Mary were great’
Family friends is the best service I have ever had and there have been a few!
Thank you to Family Friends for helping to change the way I was, I didn’t realise I needed too until my life got better.
We are so proud of our family support team, the work we do and the different
aspects of our service delivery. We feel each part of our service compliments the whole support with fluidity which promotes a fast forward action to overall wellbeing for the family. Monthly audit checks enable us to ensure support is working and to hear first-hand how much of a difference our team are making in the lives of the people they support. Family Support is a challenging and demanding role. Often time is pressed and stress is high so to consistently have our supported families reporting that they feel their family support worker or trained volunteer is there for them is testimony to how caring and active they are in their roles.
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Supported Family Story
Andrew-Supported family-This is his story:-
I was in a really bad place when Family friends turned up but I put a front on as I don’t like to be seen as weak or needy. I am bringing up my 6 year old grandson by myself and I am recovering from a stroke. Obviously these are life changing events which I was struggling with, Laura and Mary recognised that I was lonely and needed a bit of help to improve things.
Laura started visiting once a week and supported me to put routine and boundaries in place with my grandson, which really helped, slowly I built up trust and confidence to access the other bits of service Family Friends had to offer. I went on their Walk & Talk to Erddig which was a bit strange with 15 women but it was very enjoyable!
I then started the STEPS course with Lisa & Mary, this course made me change my way of thinking from all my negative thoughts to realising being positive helps me feel much better about my life.
After completing the STEPS course, there was no stopping me and I signed up to attend the weekly Wellbeing group, this group has helped me make new friends and there is always someone to talk too, people who may or not be in a similar situation to me. The staff at FF are brilliant they give time to me when I want to talk, they listen and are very caring and kind.
My grandson loves the fortnightly respite group and is always eager to come back and asks when he can go again, it also gives me a chance to have a cuppa and chat to other parents.
I also went recently on their Therapy day, I have never had a facial in my life but everyone said my skin was glowing and it felt so smooth!
I do believe if FF hadn’t got involved when they did, I would have been on a different path now and probably would have had a breakdown, FF is always on the end of the phone if I need them, plus I keep their pen handy as it has their number on it, so I can’t forget it.
I do understand that I can’t have support forever so my next step is to train to be a volunteer, that way I still stay with FF and can help others who may be in the place I once was. I have gained, a better outlook in life & become a better person for it, along with meeting lots of lovely people. Thank you to everyone involved with FF Andrew
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Supported Family Story
Family Friends are my rock- they are my safe haven who have helped me from out of the dark place I was in and have helped me to see the light! I always tell people you are welcomed into Family Friends as a friend and soon feel like family!
Before meeting Kay at Family friends I was extremely anxious because I didn’t know what to expect and I had been let down by other services in the past. However, she put me at ease and I instantly felt safe and supported.
I had some Counselling sessions with Vicky for a few weeks- she was amazing she understood what I was going through and allowed me to express my feelings with no judgement. Later I had some help from a volunteer who provided emotional support and we met up for coffees in the local area.
Unfortunately, the volunteer was unable to continue supporting me but Kay came to the rescue and assured me that I wasn’t going to be on my own! Kay invited me to the walk and talk which was the ice breaker- everyone made me feel welcome and I felt like I was amongst family. Tanith then started providing weekly family support – without her I wouldn’t have been able to do half of what I have got done! Without, the emotional and practical support I don’t think I would have been able to celebrate never mind have such a lovely Christmas with my family as it was a time I had been dreading!
I have been attending the Wellbeing group- Sarah was fantastic she made life fun and It made me want to go back to the group week after week. From attending the group, I have built up a good network of friends who I now have regular contact with, outside of the group sessions.
I am building my confidence and it’s given me the spark to want to use my own life experiences to help other families- hopefully one day I can be a volunteer!
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ome rosos grow through concrete"
THERE ARE MOMENTS...MOMENTS THAT IN A SPLIT SECOND YOUR LIFE CHANGES FOREVER, AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT YOU'RE SOMEWHERE ELSE. DEREK SHEPHERD T IME FOR CHANGE
Volunteer Development Strategy
Without our valued volunteers we would not be able to reach so many families that need us.
All our volunteers are a gifted, experienced and bring their own unique skills to enhance Family Friends service delivery. They are a fabulous bunch of all ages and from all walks of life! We have retired teachers, business owners, parents that want to help and the icing on the cake is we have volunteers who were once supported families themselves. One of the most moving things in volunteer recruitment is seeing some of the volunteers who were once our supported families, who have been helped in the past, wanting to get involved and give something back to the charity that made such a difference to their life.
We always need more! Our waiting list of families in desperate need of support and is always growing. There is a place for you to do something good and make a real difference with the support of a caring and friendly volunteer coordinator. Please do get in touch if you would like to add something special to your life in the new year and come along on our training course for free!
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Volunteer Story
Good morning,
My name is Ruth in July 2022 I retired from Nursing after 40 years with the last 11 years being a School Nurse, however I missed working with families and the challenges that the work brings, so I looked around to see if there was an organisation which would fit my skills, and I found Family Friends. I started volunteering in June 2023.
I enjoy volunteering with Family Friends, I am well supported and always know that I can access support either via the telephone or face to face if there is anything I need to ask about.
I currently support two families both have individual needs, drawing on my previous skills both practically and emotionally and building on my skills learnt during the Family Friends training, I can offer support and guidance weekly to these families, to make a difference to their family lives. The impact of this can be evidenced by the changes within the family environment and getting together has empowered them to make positive changes. Being able to utilise my experience and engaging with families on 1-1 support has inspired me to succeed in my role.
There are a lot of people, especially going through difficult situations and what life throws at them. Family Friends gives support in many areas and I feel privileged and fortunate to be part of the organisation.
Thank you
Ruth
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Qualified Counselling offered for free to those in desperate need
Our Counselling project has gone from strength to strength and clearly compliments our current service delivery. Hopefully funding will allow for us to continue and grow to meet the need in the community. Services like this have high waiting lists county wide and our waiting list is growing, but we are proud to have been able to support 55 adults & 25 children in the last 12 months, although recognition of our valued service has increased along with extra counsellors, the referrals continue to rise. Currently we have 39 adults waiting for counselling and 42 children.
We wish we could support them all but the pressures of funding, targets and venues put added pressure on us and this service.
Counselling is delivered over the phone, virtually online and face to face to ensure those who need it can access it no matter what social restrictions we may be facing.
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It just leaves us to say a huge THANK-YOU to everyone who has been a part of Family Friends and made it what it is today. 26 years ago it started out with one coordinator and one admin and a couple of Volunteers supporting a few families. Today we have 8 contracted staff,4 sessional staff and 26 volunteers who between them support an average of 68 families at any one time. We still have a growing number of families still waiting for support, demand is so high with 70 families waiting and approx. 70 waiting for counselling. But we have to recognise we have all made a difference to so many lives over the last 26 years. We will continue to thrive, meet growing needs and emerging trends, regardless of what may come our way and that is all down to everyone that plays a small or large part in FAMILY FRIENDS so….
THANK- YOU to each and everyone of youo Page 27
CHARITI P4UNIBF.R.. 11 R TIIE VEAR E14DED)I%T hlARfll ZDLI RELEIPTS AliDPAVMEW7SAcooiif41S B&515 2U13 3022 RECEIPTS Siilutory Fndln8•nd $4ppEe WCBC. FAmilk¥Firsl ESOL Fund548 Motwbdance sITraIni8 & mi17Yfjps sit Moraan FthunO&iiOn H1p$ Smiih POSIC Trr F1>dln Uffpid Car&& POlicOMMiSlE¥ FF Pllrthting 20.(th.fJJ 3.744.97 i).l(XJ.99 24.230. 54.IIKI.OD 2n.1.0 92M). 25.(KM) 2f).234 iNI 2.26h 4.5Y9.48 777.66 6298. Monthly sUTnOfFurt GEWttttd l•tom BaDI &fOIF Clianty Inlcrc5t ¥38.57 TOTAI. RECEJvrs 24X.IKM.44 PAYMENTS C0515- Brtncndin8 Costs- Eventstrrips tts. VOL Cnsl&- SPA 3W 2.n8.26 2,792.55 4.454.44 4.036.76 Siaff PoslagcandCatnaBC otfit¢ 51Alionery. ph(*oWpic<4j le1The¢ E4uipmLThI Resour 79. 4.948.94 1.643.72 65¥.63 RcfrrbhmtS 14nJ35.02 ScyJionaIlPlav[k¢¥ f051s r&yroll Ch&ig Siaff Trainin¥ ri$ RIN)m Trlire 2.765.40 B99.50 CORE Byiik Cli4rg Teilinology Triplvthicoils 2.261.07 4.076 70 24.08 122.b9 2.YY7.fi4 TOTAL PAYMKNTS 190.4¥3.YJ r4F.TOF RECEipfsiipAYMKNTS1 yt&r C••b & Bink fuNdY4t31 MDr¢h 2Q23.' 1•12
FPMDS AT 31ST I14RQI Z023 20 22 235.10 .9sI 283.70 73.fth 47 15 OTHER TrIONEfiAY ASSE 350.L¥J 350W 2 526.07 ¢J¥irvJ 2022 PAIE Stsff RethndaKy Z2.122.61 5W.iY) 48,852.70 Cl)r C1 (4 r#s)[lO12 3 rThJrttG] r4J,895.26 Indelant Fee 370.co 350.W 5,SY.77 8J42.88 1.594.01 ndartt Founthr Pear FjndaEbTh Utvklcers (W(Kl 587. io.{Mx).rxi 20,234. 7.145.99 9,IOL.78 2,184.25 25,(.() 13,684.71 I2,0.18 2,317.9q 9,982.(M) Srnth ChJrtty Henry Smth Chthty2 F11 Patenthj Staff Rth, TrainlNJ & BackdJted PayrEe QVOII2020. 3110¥2021 StEPS 22.91 14,iNY)(W) 3,071.89 997.n 1,769.80 ar Bar Intffest 165 659.03 150 311.73 ZS ..are[e SwJneJ rt5 bEhalty'. Mrd M Pa•t Mrd WWIIIIJrn•
CHARITI P4UNIBF.R.. 11 R TIIE VEAR E14DED)I%T hlARfll ZDLI RELEIPTS AliDPAVMEW7SAcooiif41S B&515 2U13 3022 RECEIPTS Siilutory Fndln8•nd $4ppEe WCBC. FAmilk¥Firsl ESOL Fund548 Motwbdance sITraIni8 & mi17Yfjps sit Moraan FthunO&iiOn H1p$ Smiih POSIC Trr F1>dln Uffpid Car&& POlicOMMiSlE¥ FF Pllrthting 20.(th.fJJ 3.744.97 i).l(XJ.99 24.230. 54.IIKI.OD 2n.1.0 92M). 25.(KM) 2f).234 iNI 2.26h 4.5Y9.48 777.66 6298. Monthly sUTnOfFurt GEWttttd l•tom BaDI &fOIF Clianty Inlcrc5t ¥38.57 TOTAI. RECEJvrs 24X.IKM.44 PAYMENTS C0515- Brtncndin8 Costs- Eventstrrips tts. VOL Cnsl&- SPA 3W 2.n8.26 2,792.55 4.454.44 4.036.76 Siaff PoslagcandCatnaBC otfit¢ 51Alionery. ph(*oWpic<4j le1The¢ E4uipmLThI Resour 79. 4.948.94 1.643.72 65¥.63 RcfrrbhmtS 14nJ35.02 ScyJionaIlPlav[k¢¥ f051s r&yroll Ch&ig Siaff Trainin¥ ri$ RIN)m Trlire 2.765.40 B99.50 CORE Byiik Cli4rg Teilinology Triplvthicoils 2.261.07 4.076 70 24.08 122.b9 2.YY7.fi4 TOTAL PAYMKNTS 190.4¥3.YJ r4F.TOF RECEipfsiipAYMKNTS1 yt&r C••b & Bink fuNdY4t31 MDr¢h 2Q23.' 1•12
FPMDS AT 31ST I14RQI Z023 20 22 235.10 .9sI 283.70 73.fth 47 15 OTHER TrIONEfiAY ASSE 350.L¥J 350W 2 526.07 ¢J¥irvJ 2022 PAIE Stsff RethndaKy Z2.122.61 5W.iY) 48,852.70 Cl)r C1 (4 r#s)[lO12 3 rThJrttG] r4J,895.26 Indelant Fee 370.co 350.W 5,SY.77 8J42.88 1.594.01 ndartt Founthr Pear FjndaEbTh Utvklcers (W(Kl 587. io.{Mx).rxi 20,234. 7.145.99 9,IOL.78 2,184.25 25,(.() 13,684.71 I2,0.18 2,317.9q 9,982.(M) Srnth ChJrtty Henry Smth Chthty2 F11 Patenthj Staff Rth, TrainlNJ & BackdJted PayrEe QVOII2020. 3110¥2021 StEPS 22.91 14,iNY)(W) 3,071.89 997.n 1,769.80 ar Bar Intffest 165 659.03 150 311.73 ZS ..are[e SwJneJ rt5 bEhalty'. Mrd M Pa•t Mrd WWIIIIJrn•