SOON Exclusive new homes in the village of Fittleworth

Hawkins Field comprises fourteen meticulously designed 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties that are spacious and secluded, flanked by mature woodland with a parkland outlook.

By investing in sustainable design, building methods and materials, the homes are constructed in a way that minimises their effect on the environment. Elivia Homes continuously strive to improve the biodiversity and energy efficiency of their schemes to enhance the communities in which they build.

25% ALREADY RESERVED | Prices from £645,950.

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Additionally, there is a range of Training Workshops for the parent-carer, again free of charge, and a “Making Sense of it All – Foundation Course”, introducing key issues parent-carers will face as their child grows and develops, which is available via Zoom or in person. Again, in 2021-22, 949 parents attended one of Reaching Families training workshops.

Offering “Face-2-Face Befriending” and Parent Support Groups

Parent-carers of recently diagnosed children also have an opportunity to benefit from befriending and emotional support, from an experienced and specially trained parent-carer, under the charity’s Face-2-Face Befriending project. Volunteer based, the charity’s befrienders undergo intensive training, are DBS checked and have ongoing support and supervision.

Monthly support groups - Umbrellas Parent Support groups are based in Billingshurst, Burgess Hill, Littlehampton and Worthing and since Covid, a weekly online group meets on Zoom. These groups can be crucial for isolated parents, offering the opportunity to connect with other parents and signposting them to other relevant projects and services.

Amongst the information provided in Reaching Families’ Impact report for 2021 22, are figures illustrating the positive effect the charity has upon the lives of those who use its services. 90 percent of parent-carers reported improved knowledge in accessing support for their child, whilst 80 percent of parent-carers reported feeling more resilient in overcoming difficulties thanks to peer support. And 78 percent of parentcarers reported improved skills and selfconfidence in supporting their child as a result of attending a Reaching Families training course.

“£10 will pay for the cost of printing our parent guides for one West Sussex family”

Reaching Families is funded from a variety of sources including the National Lottery, the local authority, the NHS and various charitable trusts and foundations. When I ask about Fundraising Events, Brian says that, “We very rarely put on fundraising events mainly because we are a small team and do not have the resources for managing these sorts of events.” However, if you enjoy running, cycling, skydiving or putting on coffee mornings then Brian O’Hagan would be delighted to hear from you to discuss how you could raise much needed funds to sustain the work of the charity. “We have been very lucky to have had support from local people with fundraising, for example, a family in Littlehampton last Christmas raised money for us through a Christmas light show. Another lady ran a Zumbathon for us, many more have given donations.”

Reaching Families is also keen to hear from anyone who might want to volunteer with the charity. “We use volunteers in our befriending service… Our team of twenty volunteers provide emotional and practical support with things like signposting, accessing other services, learning about their child’s condition and meeting other parent-carers.” There are other ways in which volunteers can contribute to the charity too – by promoting the work of Reaching Families at community events, representing the charity at groups in your own local area or by distribution information to community venues, such as preschools and GP surgeries.

Exponential growth in demand for services since Covid

Now, more than ever charities are struggling to provide their much-needed services. As Brian says, “Our biggest challenge is meeting an exponential increase in demand for our service. Since the start of the covid pandemic demand has increased in some projects by over 200 percent. Finding the funds to increase resources to meet that demand has been difficult particularly in the current economic climate.”

Contact: Reaching Families Unit 16 Oaklands Business Centre, 64-68 Elm Grove, Worthing. BN11 5LH. Or please call 01903 366360

Email: admin@reachingfamilies.org.uk wwww.reachingfamilies.org.uk

By Lynn Smith