St Alban's Family Development Project
TfR CASE STUDY: ST ALBAN’S FAMILY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT DARNALL, SHEFFIELD
The Family Development Project (FDP) works primarily with parents, carers and children in a multi-cultural inner city area of disadvantage and deprivation. It aims: to encourage the development of parenting skills, greater confidence, involvement in community life and interest in their role in their children’s education; and to help people to believe and communicate to their children that it is possible to be real actors in life, rather than objects of attention or receivers of welfare support. The project became a registered charity in January 2006.
Position when the Family Development Project contacted TfR
Despite having been recognised as the Onyx Environmental Trust “Project of the Year” for the frontage of their Annual Report 2006, and doing excellent work within Darnall, the Family Development Project was in danger of closing as funding was coming to an end. TfR had successfully supported the project in the past and Rev. Mike Fudger (the incumbent of St Albans), the Management Committee and Trustees requested the help of TfR again.
What TfR did to help
Jo-anne Van Levesley explains: ‘An adviser from TfR helped us to focus our vision and plans for the future. He helped us to develop our business plan, identify funding opportunities and oversee our writing of funding applications. He also supported us alongside other key partnerships to strengthen our position when applying for funding and delivering services to the community”.
What have been the results?
‘Obviously, the most remarkable success is that our funding applications were successful and we were awarded Four Hundred and Ninety Two thousand, eight hundred and sixty four pounds, for five years. This will secure the project until 2012, and enable it to develop further. We now have family development workers who can support people in the community and a father’s support post. We are currently building links like Dr Bike, who helps the fathers’ group with their cycles and gives them all a laugh, prior to going on activities like a family cycle ride in Clumber Park…we are totally committed to going that extra mile in all we do. The project has also awakened dreams of those local people who have worked within it: one has gone on to be a teacher, and an administrator who has been with FDP through two maternities has started training to be a midwife…“This is a very special place to be- a little gem!”
What was particularly valued about the support you received from TfR
Jo-anne concludes, “TfR couldn’t write the bid for us, but they knew that the management committee members actually had all the answers we needed, (having been on the journey together for seven years) to write a successful application. They assisted us in drawing out this information, which helped us to succeed with our bid. Due to the support and help of TfR, we now have the knowledge, ability and confidence to stand on our own feet. We would certainly value and feel able to ask for their support and assistance again. I can honestly say I never thought I would write a bid for half a million pounds, or secure ‘an unheard- of’ five years of funding for this project but with TfR’s support, and that of other partnership agencies - we did it!”
‘I’m sure that we will use TfR expertise again, and can only recommend them as a supportive useful tool in any funding tool kit’.
May I take this opportunity to welcome you to contact us and arrange a visit and appointment to come and see our project ‘ Jo-Anne Van Levesley
To find out more, contact TfR Joanne Van Levesley at St Alban’s Family Development Project
