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Blackburn Diocesan Board for Social Responsibility (BSR) delivers a series of projects working to improve family life, using volunteers. In its wish to address issues which affect the family, BSR received funding from the Local Authority Extended Schools
 A cluster of Head Teachers from schools in Bamber Bridge came together to respond to issues identified amongst a number of their pupils, which stopped them reaching their full potential. These children come from homes where there are problems which do not call for intervention by Children’s Integrated Services and other agencies, but if left unresolved may cause:
- family breakdown
- loss of motivation of the child caused by stress within the home
- disruption of learning of all the children within the family
Grassroots Family Support in Bamber Bridge offers support to families and children within Bamber Bridge and the surrounding areas via funding. The Family Support Co-ordinator works in the community together with local schools, Churches, Health Visitors, Children’s Integrated Services and other relevant agencies, as required. Using locally recruited volunteer visitors, the project:
- enhances families’ abilities to find their own solutions to their problems
- promotes the growth in self-esteem and confidence for family members
- encourages and facilitates better parenting capability
- advances community cohesion by recruiting and training volunteer visitors from within the local community
 The nature of the project’s work is very much about esteem building and encouraging families to find their own practical solutions to meet their welfare and social needs. The main focus of the work within the project involves supporting parents through weekly visits from a CRB checked, trained volunteer visitor, as this is often the most effective way of promoting the welfare of their children
From this, it is hoped there will be a ‘trickle–down’ effect as it has been shown that parent’s everyday lives have a direct impact on children’s outcomes and well being which consequently has deep seated implications for society
In addition, if parents are under less stress at home, it is assumed their children will be happier and more likely to concentrate at school. This will result in a more productive atmosphere in the community and an improved learning environment for other children in the class
 The Project’s Family Support Co-ordinator and a volunteer were recently invited onto Radio Lancashire’s “Ladies at Lunch” to discuss the project and the need for such intervention for families and children facing poverty
If you would like any further information on this Project, please contact:
Juliane Stokes
Family Support Co-ordinator
Tel: 07881 587 776 | 
