PRESS RELEASE: Friends of the Family celebrates 25 years of supporting families and children

 In Media

Winchester-based charity, Friends of the Family celebrated its 25th Anniversary at its AGM on 25th February with a birthday lunch for over 70 invited guests.

Taking place at St Peter’s Parish Centre, The Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Frank Pearson and the High Sheriff of Hampshire, Mark Thistlethwayte, joined staff, trustees, volunteers, members and families to celebrate the charity’s work supporting hundreds of families and children across the Winchester district.

Anne Titman, who co-founded the charity in 1993, also attended the celebration along with the charity’s Patron, Bishop John Dennis and former Chairman Andrew Rutter.

Speaking at the event, the Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Pearson, said: “I have been involved with Friends of the Family for many years now and it is a pleasure to be here today to recognise the valuable work they do and to celebrate with them. You support families who are very much alone without family members close by to help them. You help to pick up the pieces of families and make a positive difference to their lives. Thank you so much on behalf of everyone in Winchester.”

Viv Wheeler, Chair of Trustees, said: “I’d like to thank you all for coming to celebrate this milestone in Friends of the Family’s history. We are lucky to have a fantastic board of trustees, committed members, marvellous staff and dedicated volunteers who offer non-judgemental support and friendship to families in need. I’d also like to thank the Quakers who have supported us by giving us space in the Friends Meeting House for our mums and young children group for the past 25 years, the Salvation Army in Winchester, local churches and TSB Winchester who have chosen us as their charity partner for the past three years.”

“Thank you also to everyone who has donated or raised funds to enable us to continue our work helping families overcome enormous challenges and focus on building a healthy family life for the future.”

Founded in 1993 to offer help and guidance to vulnerable young families, Friends of the Family has grown and now provides a twice-weekly support group for mums with young children, a befriending service for children aged 5 to 13, one-to-one counselling for dads and a monthly dads group which enables dads and their children to get-together, have fun and support each other.

To find out more about Friends of the Family go to www.fotfwinchester.org, email contactus@fotfwinchester.org or call 01962 864466.

ENDS