Why was Family Friends founded?

The charity was set up in 1993 by local resident Sheila Paget, the initiative coming from her work with boys in a Barnardo’s residential unit. Sheila realised that, in many cases, the boys would not have been placed in care if their families had more sources of help and support during difficult periods. Sheila’s vision was to create a personal, caring and committed organisation that would give long-term support to vulnerable families, thereby removing the need to place children in care.  

Our volunteers

Family Friends' volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds and they are selected for their qualities of warmth, empathy and understanding. They use our training and their commitment and life experiences to become a supportive friend to a family. Our volunteers recognise the importance of confidentiality and trust. All volunteers are screened, police-checked, interviewed and trained. They are regularly supervised by the staff at Family Friends.

Referrals

Family Friends services are voluntary and initiated only with the direct consent of the family. The most important criteria for receiving Family Friends' support is that the family really does want to make positive changes.

Referrals can be made by anyone, in person or over the telephone. If you are a member of a family that would like support or know of a family who would like us to contact them, please call the office on 020 8960 9099 or come in and talk to the Services Manager or Family & Volunteer Co-ordinators.

Why is our service needed?

The kind of individual, flexible service we offer contrasts with statutory services, which are often only able to provide time-limited interventions in response to crisis situations. Family Friends is able to offer a long-term commitment based on each family’s unique needs and potential. We aim to facilitate positive changes in people’s lives, but we do not have to achieve ‘outcomes’ within tight time constraints.  

What have families gained?

In 15 years of service, we have assisted over 400 families. Many started using local facilities like nurseries and parenting groups. Several parents returned to education, went back to work or took up volunteering opportunities. Some even became representatives on local community programmes. Many children developed academically and improved behaviour, and others joined community clubs and took up new interests.