Achievements of 2017-2018
We are pleased to report that our core services to families have continued, with our outings programme thriving:
22 day outings and one adventure residential weekend
40 children go on one outing each school holiday
14 volunteers helping to accompany children each school holiday
£21 Average cost per child for activity, lunch, travel, volunteers (not incl staff salary)
We aim to provide a varied and diverse programme of activities and opportunities through our outings to widen children’s horizons. A day away from home enables children to be active, to grow in confidence socially, experience a break from challenging family situations and create special holiday memories. Highlights this year have included Immersive Theatre, Light Party, Trampolining, Aquasplash, Adventure Activities, Adventure Golf and sports. Chloe works 1-2 days a week planning activities, inviting children, liaising with our, all important, volunteer team and generally pulling it all together.
We currently have at team of 32 volunteers who through outings or regular visits have provided 898 hours of direct support to 44 families (150 people). More in depth support through 10 family placements, has seen volunteers enabling parents to get to interviews and pursue work through providing childcare; supporting children in fostercare or through bereavement by being a consistent person, and by enabling children to get out an access activities otherwise not possible. Many of our volunteer team have been giving their time sacrificially in the midst of busy lives for many years. We are thankful their commitment and the difference they make.
Behind the scenes we have been working on reviewing our records retention and archiving years worth of family work records; reviewing our systems and processes to work towards good practice and compliance ahead of GDPR coming. The digitalisation of all our record-keeping and contact management will help to lay a good foundation for more efficient continuation for organising and coordinating the support services to families, and we anticipate being able to reduce our office costs as storage needs reduce.
With the development of an updated website, and the success of fundraising campaigns organised by our social media coordinators, we hope to see an increased interest in volunteering with new people joining the team in the year ahead.
The trustees wish to thank all the churches, individual donors and grant trusts who give to make the work with families possible. We are grateful for the provision of ongoing and increased grant funding from the MacDonald Family Trust, and new funding from the Yapp Charitable Trust, The Charles French Charitable Trust and the Henry Smith Trust for a youth residential planned next half-term.
