Family Friends, a Wrexham-based organization, provides vital community support through a unique volunteer program. The organization recruits and trains volunteers, typically parents themselves, who offer informal, friendly, and confidential support by visiting families with children up to 14 years old in their homes.
For over 25 years, Family Friends has been supporting local families in crisis. In 2023, their volunteers assisted 180 families, and this year they have already received more than 200 support requests. Currently, they are actively working with 70 families while maintaining a waiting list of an additional 70 families.
The organization has seen a significant increase in demand since the COVID-19 crisis, as more vulnerable families struggle with the long-term effects of isolation. Their current support services include:
The Steps Course, designed to promote positive thinking and build self-confidence. Previous participants have reported life-changing results, helping them overcome negative thought patterns that were impacting their daily lives.
Family Education services, where volunteers provide one-on-one assistance with homework, form completion, and educational guidance in families' homes.
Counseling services for both adults and children, including specialized support for domestic violence survivors through support groups, courses, and individual home visits.
These services are primarily delivered by dedicated volunteers, supported by a small team of paid staff. Each family typically receives support for nine months, with volunteers focusing on one family at a time based on specific needs.
Family Friends operates on the principle of 'Building Resilience to Break the Cycle of Revolving Professional Dependence.' Volunteers work collaboratively with all family members to transform their mindset from dependency to self-reliance and resilience in facing life's challenges.
Recently, Phil James, Chairman of North Wales Freemasons Charity (NWFC), along with Morgan Tudor, John Collister, and Steve Overthrow, visited Family Friends to present a £10,000 donation. This generous contribution comprised £5,000 from NWFC, matched by £5,000 from the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
Jo Hughes from Family Friends expressed gratitude: "We deeply appreciate North Wales Freemasons visiting to meet our team and witness our Wellbeing room in action. This donation will significantly enhance the space, making it more conducive to recovery for our weekly visitors. Your support and interest in our daily work means a great deal to us."
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