Friends of the Family aims to raise £30,000 as it celebrates 30 years

Friends of the Family is aiming to raise £30,000 in its birthday year and has secured match funding for half of its goal.

This means for every £1 raised up to £15,000, another £1 will go to help Winchester parents and children facing adversity.

The charity’s founding project, the ‘Mums and Young Children’ group, continues to offer speciality group counselling and play therapy to young families 30 years on.

The organisation has expanded to include a befriending programme for five to 13-year-olds and a service supporting dads in prison in maintaining positive relationships with their children. This year, the charity has supported 75 local families.

READ MORE: Winchester charity Friends of the Family calls for more volunteers

30 years celebrations (Image: Friends of the Family)

But, with demand for these services remaining as high as ever, the charity believes a fundraising boost is essential. 

Operations director, Jo Smith, said “We are proud of the work we are already doing in our community, but sadly the cost-of-living crisis has left even more families at breaking point.  That’s why it’s vital that we achieve our goal of raising £30,000 for 30 years – families in the Winchester district need us, and they need us now.”

Friends of the Family celebrated its milestone at its recent AGM, bringing together more than 45 past and present staff, trustees, volunteers, and supporters including Ann Titman who founded the Mums and Young Children project in 1993.

Chris Bale, chair of trustees, said: “It felt very important to come together to acknowledge and thank everyone that has played a part in making the charity what it is today and to highlight the continuing need of many families in our home-town.”

For more information or to donate go to fotfwinchester.org/.