A new project in Worcestershire that will help children growing up in difficult family circumstances has been awarded £900,000 from the Big Lottery Fund (BIG).
The project – a partnership of local voluntary sector organisations and public services – is one of the latest to be funded through BIG’s Improving Futures programme, which is investing up to £26m in schemes across the UK that provide more joined-up and earlier support to families with multiple and complex problems.
Led by Vestia Community Trust (part of The Community Housing Group), the project will see around 100 families in areas of Redditch, Worcester and Pershore benefiting from tailored support from a partnership of local organisations, including Worcestershire County Council, EPIC Community Interest Company, Worcester Community Trust and Onside Advocacy.
It will work closely with families to offer support in response to their individual needs and build on existing family strengths to help children achieve their full potential.
Support will be provided by a family worker who will help the family with any immediate issues before supporting them to develop their own family plan. This plan will highlight the families’ strengths, positive changes the family wish to achieve, and any barriers that are preventing them. The plan will then be used to get the help and support the children and parents need to transform their lives, such as counselling or debt advice.
Nick Parker from Vestia said: “Too often families cannot get the help they need, when they need it. By giving families more control over the process, they can ensure they get the right support, at the right time, in the right way. When we consulted families about this project, the services they identified included family counselling, parenting courses - and one child wanted extra tutoring to help him catch up in class. Through this project we can offer practical support that the family know will help them get back on their feet.”
The project is supported by Worcestershire County Council, which has provided £100,000 match funding.
John Taylor, Big Lottery Fund’s Head of the West Midlands region, said: “Vestia Community Trust and its partners are focused firmly on improving the wellbeing and life chances of young children by supporting their families.
“Too many families in difficult circumstances still don’t know who to turn to for help. By mobilising all those who can help at a local level in a coordinated way, this project will improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in Worcester, Redditch and Pershore.”
