The Family Haven
Sarah (name changed) lives a full and busy life as a mother, a volunteer, soon to be a student, and with an active social life with friends.
Though this wasn’t always the case. Two and a half years ago, Sarah and her children were fleeing domestic abuse, living in emergency accommodation and struggling with anxiety and low self-esteem. At first, she found it difficult to engage with others and often described feeling “invisible.”
Until one day, Sarah heard about The Family Haven through Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service. The charity offers a place for parents to meet and access helpful resources to enhance their parenting journey. Meanwhile, children are cared for in a safe, Ofsted-registered nursery where they can play and grow. The Family Haven helps families grow in confidence, build friendships, and feel part of a supportive community.
Through one-to-one support and group sessions, Sarah gradually started to open up. She attended confidence-building workshops, parenting support groups, and eventually took up a supported work experience placement in a local charity shop.
Since then, Sarah’s mental health has improved significantly. Sarah said, “I didn’t think I was good at anything anymore, but this has shown me that I can do things. I feel proud of myself again.”
Just like Sarah’s story, many families bring their life experiences and unique strengths to their community, even while facing challenges like financial stress, housing issues, or adjusting to life in a new country. The Family Haven in Gloucester builds on these strengths and works with families with young children facing hardship, offering a safe and welcoming space for them to grow and connect.
Gail from The Family Haven says,
“Thanks to funding from Barnwood Trust, we have been able to offer extra support to families, especially those living with mental health conditions and disabilities, to improve their wellbeing and take steps toward brighter and more stable futures. The difference it has made can be seen in the way families like Sarah’s are growing in confidence and feeling less alone. One of the most valued outcomes has been the work experience opportunities we were able to offer. These placements have given our service users a sense of purpose, helped build routine into their lives, and opened doors to new skills and self-belief.“
The Family Haven aims to expand their services to reach those unable to visit the centre, so no one misses out on support. Through a partnership with Greiner Bio-One, they’re creating more work experience opportunities to help build confidence and skills and open doors to employment.
By supporting the wellbeing of families in Gloucestershire, The Family Haven is helping to build a stronger, more inclusive community.
