Faith in Families is Celebrating New Funding to Secure a Brighter Future for Our Children
Faith in Families is thrilled to announce the receipt of funding from the National Lottery Community Fund – Cronfa Gymunedol y Loteri Genedlaethol .
This funding will empower the development and growth of our transformative Brighter Futures Project – a children and young people’s wellbeing project.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis have exacerbated the challenges faced by vulnerable children in Wales, including poverty, inequality, and social exclusion.
In 2018/19 there were 1418 fixed term exclusions in schools in Swansea, moving forward to 2022/23 that has grown to 2111 children not accessing their right to education. Of those children in secondary school the figure went from 759 children to 1779 – an increase of 134.39%. There has also been an increase of 158.99% of children being educated at home, from 139 children in 2019 to now 360 children no longer in school.
The project aims to enhance the overall well-being of children and young people by supporting them in self-regulating their emotions, leading to improved school attendance and stronger interpersonal connections.
“This funding will significantly enhance our already successful project that has helped thousands of children across Swansea. We aim to delve deeper into the causes, consequences, and the potential for changes in these young people’s lives by intensifying the program in a targeted area. This approach will provide trauma-informed services for long-term benefits, ensuring children stay in school and remain engaged with their education.”
-CEO Faith in Families, Cherrie Bija.
Collaborating with parents, schools, Swansea University, The Children’s Legal Centre, and the Street Law team, with funding already secured from the UK government Shared Prosperity Fund Third Sector Grant Scheme and Welsh Glamorgan Partnership Board we are committed to creating brighter tomorrows for children across Wales. The work will be fully evaluated for learning and policy advice, for future generations to come.
“Both my children and I have benefited hugely from support worker input provided by Faith in Families. My son particularly has developed a vital therapeutic relationship with Jake. With the trials and tribulations of being a neurodivergent teen and navigating his understanding of his new type 1 diabetes diagnosis, I was at a loss of how to best support my son. Although we still have some difficult times dealing with the trauma following my son’s emergency hospital admission, Jake’s ongoing support has aided my son to better communicate his needs and concerns. This service has been invaluable to us and has prevented my son falling back to crisis point by ensuring he is heard and provided with coping mechanisms whilst we have awaited NHS waiting lists. Jake works in cohesion with CAMHS to ensure my son is ready for his sessions and provides support I am simply not qualified to deliver. An essential service and support system for my family and I’m sure many others.”
-Beneficiary of the Brighter Futures Project.
Faith in Families wants a Wales where every child can reach their full potential, where every child can flourish and live their best lives.
Discover more about our Brighter Futures Project by clicking the button below and watch an insightful video into the heart of what we do!
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