At the Children’s Society launch of the family support service are, from left, Hannah O’Neill, Sue Gleaves, Sarah Riddick, Catherine Wickens, Yvonne Price and John Burton. Picture by Peter Boam.
A NEW service to help Island families has been launched by The Children’s Society.
The charity, which manages five children’s centres across the Island, has been commissioned by the Isle of Wight Council to provide support to families with children aged between five and 19.
One-to-one and group sessions with parents and children will be held at The Children’s Society’s offices, in Quay Street, Newport.
Following the launch of the service, programme manager Jane Leigh said: "We were delighted to be commissioned to provide a family support service on the Island. Raising children is a challenging and rewarding role and our focus will be on strengthening and empowering families so they can improve their relationships.
"This launch event will ensure families and providers across the Island know who we are, what we can offer and how they can access family support. We have a strong, positive partnership with the Isle of Wight Council and believe this new service will help to establish The Children’s Society as a leading provider for the children and families on the Island."
Council cabinet member for children’s services, Cllr Dawn Cousins, said: "The Children’s Society already does some very good work on the Island, as acknowledged recently by Ofsted, and we are delighted to be working with them in the very important area of family support."
Reporter: emilyp@iwcpmail.co.uk