Community fund focuses on families

6th June 2023

One of the latest beneficiaries to a grant from the Chelmsford Star Co-op Community Fund is Families InFocus, a parent-led charity that supports families with a child under 25 with special educational needs or disability.

The charity operates in both Southend and Chelmsford and recently welcomed members from Chelmsford Star Co-op’s decision making panel for a visit. This was to see one of their social activity groups at Melbourne Sports Stadium and to witness the support they provide.

Families played together, parents swapped stories and advice, children mixed with others their own age and were not made to feel different. There was a friendly atmosphere with a community feel, and it was busy.

One parent said; “Families InFocus have provided the most on point and appropriate support that we have received. It is the first assistance that we have been offered that has completely fulfilled what it said it would and I honestly can’t thank them enough.”

Pauline Dodd, Chair of the Co-op’s Membership Committee which allocates where our Community Fund money is distributed, said; “It’s been really quite moving to see how much this small charity has achieved over the last 25 years or so, and how relied upon they are. What a great organisation.”

Families InFocus received a grant of £1,500 which was combined with other donations by the Essex Community Foundation and this was used to cover rental costs and other essential expenses.

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