“THIS is lovely, just look at the kids they are so happy.”
The words of single mum-of-five Lisa, as she watches her children join in with half-term Halloween activities organised by the Grimsby Full Families programme.
Lisa and her children are among more than 50 families who are now being supported by Full Families in North East Lincolnshire. CatZero and CPO (Creating Positive Opportunities) in Grimsby are running the project jointly over three years – it is currently 12 months into its life-span.
Funded by the Big Lottery through its Reaching Communities arm, it aims to work with 100 families to look at positive and lasting change. Enabling families to enjoy themselves together is part of the work carried out and, as a result, the half-term event was held in The Hub at Freeman Street Market, Grimsby. The Hub itself is owned by The Enrolled Freemen of Grimsby, an organisation that sponsors CatZero.
Mums, dads and children joined members of the CatZero and CPO team, along with Humberside Police officers – taking part in pumpkin carving, story writing, and fun games.
For Lisa the day summed up just what Full Families means to her and her children, who range from one-years-old to 15.
“Having something like this that we can all join in with, is fantastic. There are many in my situation, who would find affording something like this impossible. Everyone is loving it,” said Lisa.
Mum Dominique was also there, with her 16-year-old son Benjamin and is so grateful to the Full Families project for helping them both work towards a more positive future.
“The difference in Benjamin has been clear. He is going to the gym and getting involved in all the activities. This is giving him purpose,” she said.
Sgt Mark Fletcher is a member of Humberside Police’s Early Intervention Team working across the East Marsh. As part of close relations between agencies in the area, his team meets with the Full Families team regularly – along with representatives from the Family First team based at the estate’s Children’s Centre.
“This level of partnership working is something that I have never seen before and is vital if we are to move forward and break down barriers that may exist. It is very positive,” he said.