West Lancashire
Children and Young People, Grants to charities
Helping vulnerable families and children in Sefton
David Thomas, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the Province of West Lancashire, visited the Venus Centre in Bootle to see first-hand the impact of a £60,000 grant from West Lancashire Freemasons. This funding will benefit approximately 120 families with young children facing poverty and hardship in Sefton, along with an additional 150 household members who will receive essential support thanks to the generosity of West Lancashire Freemasons towards The Venus Charity.
The £60,000 grant will support Venus Charity’s Family Navigation Worker project, which will provide dedicated assistance to families with children aged 0-5 who are struggling with poverty, mental health issues, and social isolation. The project will focus on early intervention to ensure that children reach critical developmental milestones, reducing inequalities that can impact their long-term education, health, and social outcomes.
The funding will make a significant difference in the lives of children and their families by providing specialised support through a Family Navigation Worker. This role will offer personalised, in-home and centre-based support to help parents understand and respond to their children’s needs. Using evidence-based programmes such as Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) and Incredible Years, the project will equip parents with the skills to foster secure attachments, manage challenging behaviours, and support emotional development.
The grant will also fund community outreach work to ensure that families have access to essential resources such as healthcare, mental health services, and early childhood education programmes. Additionally, weekly drop-in sessions and peer support groups will create a network of social support, helping families combat isolation and build resilience.
Throughout Sefton, many families experience persistent poverty, impacting their children’s health, well-being, and future opportunities. Research shows that children from disadvantaged backgrounds often start school significantly behind their peers in key developmental areas. Without intervention, this gap can lead to long-term disadvantages in education and employment.
The Family Navigation Worker project aims to break this cycle by offering practical, emotional, and developmental support at the most critical stage of a child’s early years.
We’re very grateful to Lancashire Freemasons for their generous grant. Early childhood is a crucial period in a child’s development, and without the right support, many of the families we work with would struggle to provide their children with the best start in life. This funding will allow us to provide essential interventions, ensuring that children can reach their full potential while also equipping parents with the skills and confidence to support their child’s growth and well-being.
I’m really pleased we’ve been able to support the Venus Charity with this vital project. Young children living in poverty face huge challenges that can have lasting effects on their development. The work of Venus Charity ensures that families receive the early support they need, helping children to thrive and preventing issues before they escalate. This project will have a lasting impact, not just on individual families but on the wider community.
