Families First is a registered charitable company, set up in 2002 by the St. Andrews Baptist Church to show God's love in a practical way in and around St. Andrews area. The organisation has a remit to work with families who have children aged 5-16 years of age. Now in its 8th year of operation, with a staff team of four and over 72 volunteers they offer a range of supports which include:- one on one befriending, breakfast clubs in two primary schools, after school club in one primary school, Family Support, Provisions Bank (providing food, clothing, equipment) and a DIY support service.
The Project Manager Debra Ibbitson writes:-
At Families First we want to see families, children and young people achieve personal development, enjoy recreation, feel included and respected, have positive experience and gain hope for their future.
For many families life can be difficult, unemployment, debt, poverty, ill health, violence, substance abuse, living on a tight budget, and behavioural problems with children can all put extra stress and strain on family life.
The families we work with are often struggling to cope with the difficulties life throws at them and although there are no quick fixes our organisation has been willing to "fill the gaps" in services provided in the community and we have listened to the diverse needs of families, by means of research in the area and the continuing evaluation of our projects.
We recognise that everyone's needs are different and we work hard to ensure that we provide support that fits in with the individual requirements of family life, rather than making service users fit in with us. This means that some services are offered in he evening or weekends.
Relationships with all those we work with is of high importance and as an organisation with a Christian ethos we believe that what we say and do affects those around us. Our willingness to complement other services and not compete has been the key to the success of our current established provisions. By working in partnership with local schools, statutory and voluntary agencies we have broken down barriers, created trust, built up relationships and working links that have helped to demonstrate that we can maintain professional high standards of service and practice. This has taken time, perseverance and energy, but has proved very worthwhile. We receive funding from trusts, funding bodies and have a service level agreement with our local authority.
It would be totally impossible for Families First to provide the services without the commitment of volunteers, who come with a variety of talents and a diversity of age and backgrounds. On an average week they give 87 hours of time. We have developed training programmes so that those who get involved in the work feel equipped, prepared and supported in the contributions they make and that their experience, energy and enthusiasm are put to great work.
We know that Families First are not unique and that churches around the UK and worldwide are starting to recognise that to reach out to their communities they need to be active in meeting people's needs. With no hidden agenda about filling seats in the church, but just to show Gods love in a practical way towards others, Church based organisation's are starting to take root. These God inspired projects are an opportunity for all who are spiritually and materially blessed to demonstrate Gods love and compassion to those who in their community are struggling and need help. They are an excellent tool to reach out to others and bring together the Christian community, showing unity and purpose in displaying Gods love. When Christians are united they are strong in Gods power, they are strong in His purpose creating a force to be reckoned with!
Our hope and prayer for Families First is that more and more people in St. Andrews, including those in the Christian community and the local churches will adopt Families First as their own and get involved through volunteering or contributing financially.
"..I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me.. What ever you did for the least of these you did for me..." (Matthew 25)
Debra Ibbitson
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