Families First is dedicated to delivering key support to disadvantaged families throughout the Isle of Wight. The charity aims to work with all members of the family and offers a number of vital services such as parenting classes, peer support, parent and toddler groups, basic skills classes for parents and health visitor sessions.
The charity identified the need to increase the number of fathers and grandparents using its services. Our funding has helped to introduce innovative schemes such as the remote control club and bike safety classes as well as informal support groups for grandparents. Once in touch with the charity, grandparents and fathers can access a range of support services such as basic skills training, CV writing and IT training skills for older people where positive messages on helping young children learn can be communicated and reinforced. These new activities will help the charity to bridge the gap between family members to ensure that children in deprived areas get the best possible start in life.
“Receiving funding has allowed us to have the money and time to support dads and grandparents in the community." says Karen Downes, Manager, Families First Isle of Wight. "We are very excited about what can be achieved now that we have a dedicated worker who will be completely focused on this fantastic project and vision over the next two years.”
