A Bedford-based charity that has supported over 50,000 families and children is celebrating a major funding boost while calling on more volunteers to help expand its vital work.
FACES (Family and Children’s Early-help Services) hosted an open day last week (4 June) to mark National Volunteers’ Week and toast its recent award of five years’ National Lottery funding.
The event was an opportunity to recognise the staff, patrons, and volunteers who have shaped the charity’s work across the community for over a decade.
The open day also doubled as a call to action.
“With it being National Volunteers’ Week, we would like to appeal to anyone with parenting experience or experience of working with children or families to consider giving two hours a week of their time,” said CEO Michaela Martindale.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of what we do. They come from all walks of life, and we value the unique skills they bring. In turn, they often tell us how rewarding they find working with FACES families.
“We are absolutely delighted that the National Lottery funding will enable us to continue our much-needed work helping families and children in our community”
Volunteer opportunities
FACES offers comprehensive training and professional support to volunteers, who are matched with projects that align with their experience and interests.
Current projects include:
- Together@FACES, offering early-help home visits for families with children aged 0–11
- SpectrumSupport, providing peer support for parents of SEND children
- Dads@FACES, which gives practical and emotional support to dads and their children
- BabyFACES, supporting new parents during pregnancy and the early weeks of parenthood
- The Baby Bank, supplies essential items to families in need
- Emotion Detectives, an in-school programme for children struggling with emotional regulation
Michaela added: “We’re absolutely delighted that the National Lottery funding will enable us to continue our much-needed work helping families and children in our community.”
To find out more or volunteer, visit facesbedford.org/volunteering.
