“If we don’t bury our heads in the sand, there’s hope for change.”
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Our young parent accommodation in Blackburn provides high-quality, safe, supported accommodation for young parents and their children, at a time in their life when they are vulnerable and need a period of stability.
Here, accommodation manager Judith tells us more about how we’re there for local families, and why she never loses hope that with even small actions we can all make a big difference…
What is your role at Caritas and what does it involve day to day?
I manage the running of our young parent accommodation. We support vulnerable families in an accommodation-based setting. Our families are referred by children’s social care and we support them on their journey, which is often when they’re experiencing difficult challenges when they come to us.
How does your team support families, young people and children?
As well as accommodation, and support with practical things we provide activities that promote the health and wellbeing of the families.
We have one-to-one sessions that cover budgeting, safe relationships, positive parenting, confidence building, healthy eating and how to prepare for the future, plus much more.
Our aim is to keep families together and equip them with the tools to manage a tenancy for when they move on from our service, so they can keep themselves and their babies safe.
What’s a typical day like there?
There is no typical day. Having six babies on site means that any plans can sometimes go out of the window!
Our families are all involved with children’s social care, which involves various meetings, and visits and support from different professionals.
We hold daily play sessions and evening story times, which all families are encouraged to attend. Some families may feel anxious about group work and we tailor these sessions to individual needs.
Weather permitting, families play in the outside area, which is a lovely safe place for them to connect.
Our families have set days when they will do their shopping. Some will have shopping delivered, but some prefer the social side of actually going out to the shops. Families attend sessions at the local family hub, which may be a sensory session, baby massage or a breastfeeding support group too.
Staff will arrange key working sessions with the families, ideally when baby is in bed.
Our research report has shown a huge increase in children experiencing poverty in Catholic schools in our area. Have you seen evidence of that locally as part of your work?
I am aware of the increase in families using local charity shops and foodbanks, which shows how people are struggling.
How do you feel when you hear the number of children living in poverty is continuing to grow?
I feel very sad, and while feeling helpless, I want to continue to do as much as I can to help the most vulnerable who are affected by poverty.
How does poverty or experiencing poverty impact children and parents?
It has an impact mentally, physically, emotionally and financially. We observe this daily in our service.
What type of support helps children experiencing poverty and their parents to transform their lives?
Making sure they have the appropriate support to access all they are entitled to, and support with how to maximise their limited income.
Promoting wellbeing in both parents and children is a must, to enable them to cope with issues that they will be facing on a daily basis.
Despite the figures, are you still hopeful there will be positive change?
If we all do a little to support those in need and not bury our heads in the sand, there is definitely hope for change.
What would you say to people considering supporting our charity and our work?
Please do it…whatever way you are able to support us, be it with your time, financially or with goods, every bit of it goes towards supporting the most vulnerable people in our communities.
Find out more about our young parent accommodation and ways it can help by clicking here now.