What we do
Friends of the Family works with families and children who are experiencing difficult life circumstances. We offer friendly support and guidance to help them overcome the challenges they face.
Why we do it
We are a small independent charity, established over 30 years ago. We work in Winchester and its surrounding villages.
Our aim is to improve the life chances of local children and families, who are dealing with overwhelming levels of adversity, making everyday life a challenge.
Our purpose is to offer a safe and nurturing environment where children and their families can learn to help themselves and focus on building a healthy family life for the future.
Our guiding principles:
- we facilitate the emotional, social and physical development of children
- we help parents to help themselves by discovering their own strengths and further developing a range of parenting and life skills
- we respect and offer sustained emotional support to families, which complements the provision of other local services.
What we offer
Our approach is based on getting involved early in the life of a family that is experiencing difficulties, in order to improve their family outlook. The unique support we provide to families and children aged 0-13 years is delivered through four key areas of work:
Mums and young children >
A group offering mums and their young children a twice-weekly professional support service
5s to 13s befriending >
Trained volunteers offer confidential support in the home, to children aged between 5 and 13 and their families
Support for dads >
One-to-one counselling service offering reassurance to men who are struggling with their role as a parent
Counselling >
Weekly counselling sessions offering complementary support and guidance to parents who are engaged with our other services
We work closely with other local family services. Families and children are referred from a range of organisations: Hampshire Children’s Services, health visitors, social workers, police, GPs, mental health workers, local schools, the prison and other charity support networks.
The difference we make
Families we work with frequently tell us the positive impact Friends of the Family has had on the lives of their children, the parents and family life as a whole.
Regular surveys of families using our services show that:
- struggling families are less isolated and parents feel more confident in their parenting skills
- family relationships are more emotionally stable
- children feel supported and become more confident to develop social skills that improve their life chances
- struggling families are empowered to be part of their wider community.
*Survey of 5s to 13s Befriending families
