Safe Families: Supporting Local Families
Facing life alone is hard, and when you feel there is no one there to support you it’s a scary place.
Who are Safe Families?
Safe Families are one of Citygate’s mission partners. They offer support, belonging and hope to families within the local community.
They do this by connecting families with volunteers. Volunteers become friends, they listen and care, offer encouragement and support. This could look like a cup of tea, giving someone a call or joining them on a family outing. Volunteers also introduce families to places where they can feel a sense of belonging and begin to develop their own friendships. This might be within local community groups such as churches, parenting groups or children’s clubs and groups.
Since starting in the UK in 2012, Safe Families has seen:
9779 families connected into a community
22646 children benefiting from connection
10301 bed nights provided, where volunteers host a child for a night giving a parent a welcome night off
51 parents and babies hosted for a total of 728 nights
3456 prayer partners
How do Citygate support Safe Families?
Citygate Church has been a supporter of Safe Families since it launched in Bournemouth in 2019, providing financial and practical help.
Over this time Citygate volunteers have supported 31 families and 71 children in the local area and are so grateful for the amazing Kingdom partnership we have together.
Safe Families love to celebrate stories of hope!
Safe Families has been supporting a single mother of two, who lost her ex-partner and father of the children just after Christmas 2002. The mum had lost most of her social network, was depressed and not coping with life and its challenges. Her youngest daughter was refusing school and not engaging with support services. Things were really difficult in the home and the mum had shared that she really didn’t want to be there, she had enrolled on a course but didn’t feel she was in the right place to attend or achieve this. She felt pressured on all sides.
Safe Families matched a lovely volunteer who brought a ray of sunshine into the mum’s life. Our volunteer encouraged her to make contact with old friends and to focus on some “me” time. At the ending of the formal Safe Families support review, the mum was a different person. She had completed and passed her course, had been to lots of social functions and even had a couple of dates. The banter between the volunteer and the Mum was so lovely and their friendship was something “really” special. They are staying in touch as friends. It’s a beautiful picture of the impact of drawing alongside someone and offering hope and restoration.
We also received some feedback directly from a family member supported by Safe Families:
“I can’t speak highly enough of Safe Families. From the beginning to the end the whole experience has been amazing. At first, I was sceptical, but I had no reason to worry, agreeing to the support that was given has been one of the best things I’ve ever done.
I thought the support was mainly for the children but I gained a friend that would have a cuppa with me and give me one-to-one time. Someone to listen to me rant and get things off my chest has been priceless. I don't really have anyone else that I can do this with. When the support ended and the volunteer asked if we could stay friends I was blown away by her kindness. Thank you to all the team for arranging me the perfect volunteer who has now become part of our family.”
These are just two of the countless stories of hope Safe Families have been part of. God takes the little we have and multiplies it for His Kingdom.
Connecting with a family as a Safe Families volunteer is an incredible way to make a difference to families within your local community. There are many ways to get involved:
Give your time and resources
Family Friends work directly with families, coming alongside and giving support to parents and children when they need it most, making sure they feel less isolated.
Host Families open their homes to look after children, from a night or two to a couple of weeks, as required. This gives families a regular break and space to face issues or challenges.
Resource Friends are individuals who are able to provide (or transport) useful items, such as a cot, bedding or children’s clothing. Safe Families also welcome those with practical skills, such as cooking, DIY or gardening.
Give your finances
As a financial supporter of Safe Families, you could equip volunteers to support families.
Pray
As a prayer partner you could support their work by committing to pray each month.
To find out more:
Visit safefamilies.uk
Contact Helen Hender by email helenhender@safefamilies.uk
Phone 07970033853