A Bath & North East Somerset Council initiative to support local people with serious issues affecting their home lives has had a positive impact on the lives of 58 families since it launched in April 2013.
Connecting Families is run by the Council working with local partner organisations, and provides an intensive programme of support to families.
As a direct result of this there are children back in school who were previously playing truant or excluded; high levels of youth crime and anti-social behaviour have been reduced; adults are moving off benefits and into work. As a direct result some of the cost to local public services and burden on the taxpayer are reduced too.
In one case, a young person who has not been in education or employment for over a year is now attending a local Further Education College, has secured a work placement and housing. He said that without Connecting Families he “…would still all be sat at home claiming job seekers allowance and would have no motivation”.
Another 15-year-old who had not been to school for two years is now receiving education through the Hospital Education Service as a result of Connecting Families. She says she is now more confident, is able to deal with her anxiety and depression and has secured a place with training provider KTS.
The scheme is on track to meet the Council’s target of making a difference to 215 families in Bath & North East Somerset by May 2015.
Here in Twerton we are pleased at the amount of families have received help from this initiative and are now on the road to a better life.
