A new grant of £12,000 is to be made to Swindon’s Family Welfare Association to continue support for a project that supports local families in need.     

The project works with children under stress in difficult economic and social family circumstances. It works intensively with families to bring stability back into the children’s lives. In 2004/05 it supported more than 400 children.       

Last year the Halcrow Foundation made a donation of £10,000 to help families in four disadvantaged areas of Swindon – Penhill, North and South  Parks, Walcot and Pinehurst.           

The money is additional to financial support already provided by the Children’s Fund, and adult mental health and children’s services.
     
Graham Weller, a Halcrow principal engineer and sponsor for the project, said: “The children the association helps may be caring for a parent with a physical disability or mental illness, which puts an emotional as well as a physical toll on them. They are then more likely to become isolated or bullied at school.
        
“The association also helps parents and children deal with the consequences of family breakdown. Children are particularly vulnerable in these situations and their feelings of loss, anger and confusion can often lead to negative behaviour.

“Since the service began in April 2004,  the association’s pro-active, flexible, non-stigmatising support has been increasing opportunities for children and giving them coping strategies to sustain them into adult life.”