Giving families a
Chance
With many families struggling to cope in a tough economic climate, it is
thanks to the pioneering work of one charity, Family Support Work (FSW),
that many Sussex families are receiving some much needed hope.
“The Charity started in 1890 as a welfare
service for fallen women,” explains
charity director Maggie Simons.
“It then became an adoption agency,
before becoming a fully fledged family
support work charity.”
The main focus is on working out in the
community. This is done by a highlyexperienced team of social and play
workers who work alongside around 250
families a year.
Families are often referred to FSW
through schools, GPs and churches.
“FSW deals with a huge variety cases
in which families are facing all sorts of
social challenges, including poverty,
bereavement, unemployment, mental
health issues and drug and alcohol
abuse. Our aim is to work with each
family on a long term basis, something
that statutory agencies cannot offer,”
added Maggie.
She said that as the country's financial
troubles continue, no one is safe from
problems and said people's situations
change all the time. She said: “We had
one lady whose husband was stung by
a hornet and he had an allergic reaction
and tragically died. His wife was left with
a mortgage and bills to pay and we were
able to give her support through what
was a very difficult time.”
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Indeed, FSW's confidential and free
support is available to anyone who
has the responsibility for the care of
children, whether married, single,
separated, partners, divorced, bereaved,
grandparents and even carers.
So what does the future hold?
“The charity sector is extremely
challenging at the moment, lots more
organisations competing for the same
grant funds,” explains Maggie, “which
means we have to rely more heavily
on fundraising events, donations
and legacies. However our strength
has always been about seeing what
challenges people are facing and being
there to help, whether it's giving them
food (FSW gives out tons of food to
families every year) long term support or
respite holidays, as long as people need
us we will endeavour to be there for
them, there has been a lot of negative
news in the press recently about
charities only giving small percentages
of their funds to the causes they are
raising for, FSW prides itself on making
sure every penny raised goes towards
giving families a chance.”
If you'd like to find out more about FSW
Family Support Work, donate food, toys
or volunteer please visit their website
www.familysupportwork.org.uk
By Giles Paley-Phillips