Who we are

Media project

Supporting families across Westminster.

Westminster Befriend a Family aims to break cycles of disadvantage and social exclusion. For 20 years we have been working to provide practical and emotional support to prevent family breakdown.

Support for families

Many of the families we work with are homeless, refugees or asylum seekers. They come from a wide range of ethnic groups and English is often a second language. Families may be struggling to establish a home and cope with the huge cultural and physical change in their lives.

They are often on low incomes, facing mental or physical ill health, depression or isolation with no support network. Without a stable nurturing environment, young children can develop behavioural problems or underachieve at school. A simple activity such as taking children to the park for a few hours can give a stressed single mother the space she needs to recharge her batteries.

Volunteers

We train volunteers to mentor children, give parents emotional and practical support and a break from parenting. We also help children to grow by providing professionally led recreational activities such as swimming, sailing, martial arts, creative writing and photography.