Family Friends News - 2010

Family Friends' AGM took place on 15th July 2010 at Walton Cottage Hotel in the presence of The Worshipful Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Councillor Catherine Bursnall.  The meeting was attended by approximately 40 people with representatives from the Royal Borough and Family Friends staff and volunteers.   During the meeting the annual report for 2009/ 10 was presented and everyone agreed that it reflected a year of significant successes during very uncertain times as well as some highs and lows for the charity itself.  The meeting also looked forward to what the future holds for the organisation, the barriers we may have to overcome but more importantly the opportunities which may present themselves and the commitment of all staff, trustees and volunteers to maintain the unrivalled reputation FF has developed for providing excellent support for families across the Borough. Also during the meeting, Glenice White retired as Chair after 15 years of service and Pat Lakovic was appointed as the new Chair. Angela Wellings, Head of Education and Childcare Services spoke about the immense contribution that Glenice has made to the organisation and her dedication to providing a much needed and highly professional service to families in need across the Borough.

Past and present trustees, committee members and staff gathered together to show their appreciation and good wishes for Glenice as she retired after 15 years as Chair of Family Friends. The party was also attended by the first family supported by Family Friends. You can see from the photos that a good time was had by all, even if there were a few tears along the way! We would like to say a huge thank you to Glenice for all that she has done for the charity.

On Saturday July 10th 'Team Freda', made up of a dedicated group of Family Friends supporters, completed the Slough Together Walk organised by Slough Rotary.  The 5 mile walk led the team through the beautiful grounds of Eton college and the surrounding areas with live music and a classic car display at the start and finish of the course.  The efforts of Team Freda were recognised by very generous donors who helped raise more than £1000 for Family Friends.  This money will help Family Friends to continue to deliver their valued and much needed support to families across the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead.  We'd like to thank all those who walked and/or donated and Slough Rotary for organising such an enjoyable event.  We hope to see as many of you as possible there next year!  You can still show your support for Team Freda by donating online at: www.virginmoneygiving.com/freda4familyfriends Many Thanks. 

We are thrilled to be in our new home at The Lawns Children's Centre, Imperial Road, Windsor, SL4 3RU. Many thanks to The Lawns Nursery and Children's Centre and The Clewer Cluster for supporting our move. We are very excited to be working more closely with them and so happy we have such a lovely space for the parents and children, who will be visiting Family Friends.

On Friday March 12th from 1.30pm - 4.30pm, we will be holding an afternoon tea drop in to meet the staff and see our new home, all welcome.

Volunteers and staff enjoyed a festive time at the Christmas Party which was held at Walton Cottage Hotel (Maidenhead).

Parents, children and staff from Family Friends enjoyed a beautiful sunny day in Windsor Great Park, coming together to celebrate parenting week and raise money to support the work of Families Friends. 30 adults and children enjoyed a 4.5 mile walk around Windsor Great Park, with children and their parents completing activity sheets to learn more about the environment. After the walk the families enjoyed cakes and refreshments at the Lawn’s Children’s Centre where Family Friends will be moving to very soon!

The Family Friends team is very excited about moving to these new premises as it will provide us with more space to support families and the valuable work that we do!

Once again Family Friends was fortunate in being able to hold a stall at the 2009 Lion’s Club Duck Derby. Family Friends staff and volunteers were able to speak to families about the kind of support we can offer them as well as provide fun and games with an opportunity to win some cool prizes. Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers who set up and ran the stall! It was a lovely day, despite the early downpour!

Over the last 6 months, Family Friends has been part of a RBWM multi-agency forum that has been able to pilot the first group for children and women who have witnessed domestic abuse. The programs vision is to:

• To end domestic abuse and lessen the effect on children exposed to domestic abuse
• Through intervention at the child’s level, help children to begin to heal by providing them with the opportunity to attend groups
• To engage and support mothers to validate, inform and support their children’s healing
• To address the intergenerational effects of violence and to impact the values and beliefs that enable violence, power and control to occur in families, the community and society as a whole

5 children and their mothers have participated in this twelve week program) and at the end of the program, evaluations will be taking place. For more information on this program, please contact Family Friends

BB’s in Maidenhead raffled the huge chocolate cup and saucer, of which Family Friends were the proud recipients of the proceeds - £180. Our lovely mascot Freda was out and about in Maidenhead Town centre to give out balloons to the children and leaflets to the parents. Thank you BB’s for your support!