Continued foundation funding is essential in tackling child poverty, and we are pleased to share our thanks to the Waterloo Foundation for renewing their support for Faith in Families.
This continued investment has enabled us to deliver trusted, preventative outreach support to children and families across Swansea Bay at a time when pressures on households continue to rise. Just as importantly, it allows us to plan, retain skilled staff, and remain rooted in communities where families need consistent support, not short-term fixes.
Child poverty does not end in a single funding cycle. Because of that, long-term commitment from foundations like Waterloo is vital.
How Continued Foundation Funding Supports Families
Thanks to continued foundation funding from the Waterloo Foundation, Faith in Families has been able to employ a full-time Outreach Worker through our Inspiring Futures project. This role sits at the heart of our early intervention work, offering consistent, relationship-based support to families experiencing financial hardship, social isolation, and unmet wellbeing needs.
Between January and December 2025, this Waterloo-funded project supported 333 individuals directly, alongside over 1,400 attendances at community events. Families were supported through group sessions, one-to-one outreach, and community-based activities designed to reduce pressure and build confidence.
Because this role is securely funded, support is not rushed or transactional. Families are met where they are, and staff have the time to listen, identify emerging needs, and respond early, before challenges escalate.
The Impact of Waterloo Foundation Support
The Waterloo Foundation’s support has helped families access practical and emotional support with dignity. Over the year, funding contributed to:
82 Family Tea Sessions, providing free, nutritious meals and a welcoming space to connect
£50 food vouchers for 332 families during school holidays
210 Christmas gifts for children, alongside food hampers for families facing hardship
Back to School events supporting over 1,400 parents and children
These activities reduce immediate financial pressure, but they also act as gateways into wider support. Many families who first attend a meal or event go on to access parenting programmes, wellbeing sessions, learning opportunities, and volunteering pathways.
None of this would be possible without the stability that continued foundation funding provides.
A Message from Our CEO
Cherrie Bija, CEO of Faith in Families, said:
“The Waterloo Foundation’s continued support means everything to the families we work alongside. Their funding allows us to be present, consistent, and preventative supporting children and parents before crisis takes hold. Until child poverty no longer exists, foundations like Waterloo play a crucial role in helping charities like ours create lasting change.”
Why Ongoing Foundation Support Matters
While donated goods and partnerships are important, they rely on skilled staff to coordinate, deliver, and support families safely and with dignity. Continued foundation funding ensures that expertise remains embedded in communities.
At a time when statutory services are stretched, projects like Inspiring Futures provide a vital safety net. They reduce food insecurity, support mental health, strengthen family stability, and help parents move towards education, volunteering, or employment.
During the project period:
Individuals secured employment and volunteering roles
Parents accessed accredited learning and wellbeing courses
Families were supported into more stable housing
Confidence and resilience increased across households
These outcomes take time, trust, and consistency, all of which are made possible through long-term funding partnerships.
Thank You to the Waterloo Foundation
We are proud to continue working alongside the Waterloo Foundation and deeply appreciate their commitment to tackling child poverty through sustained, community-based investment.
As long as children are growing up without access to stability, opportunity, and support, organisations like Faith in Families will be needed. Continued foundation funding allows us to remain alongside families for as long as it takes.
To learn more about our outreach work or how you can support families across Swansea Bay, explore our Community Cwtches and find out how to get involved with Faith in Families.
