We’re delighted to have awarded a £2,000 grant to It’s a Family Thing CIC, a Wolverhampton-based non-profit that runs affordable activity sessions for families facing hardship.
We previously supported It’s a Family Thing to run craft workshops for children as part of their Creative Dreams initiative in 2024. The project was so successful that they reached out to us again for help with their new project, Families Together in East Park.
This new wellbeing programme offers six free or low-cost activity sessions for children aged 5–12 and their parents or carers. The sessions are led by experienced community practitioners and volunteers to create a safe and inclusive space where everyone feels valued.
The programme is designed to support families facing financial hardship, cultural or language barriers, and social isolation. Activities include healthy cooking, self-care, family bonding games, journaling, self-defence, money and life skills, arts, music, and cultural crafts.
As well as providing low-cost entertainment for families who may be struggling with the cost of living, the sessions aim to help the children feel more confident and social. Their parents and carers also have the opportunity to bond through shared experiences, promoting a stronger sense of cross-cultural community.
The monthly sessions are running until March 2026 at St Matthew’s Church in East Park, Wolverhampton, and will benefit approximately 50 children.
Anneliese Lewis, Director of Safeguarding, Operations & Strategy at It’s a Family Thing, said: “Families in East Park have told us they want more safe, welcoming spaces to connect and grow together. This funding means we can offer meaningful experiences that help children feel seen and supported, while empowering parents to feel less alone.
“There’s strong national evidence showing the benefits of this kind of work. Research shows that supporting parents’ mental health has a direct, long-term benefit on children’s emotional wellbeing and educational outcomes. Family learning boosts confidence and strengthens communication between children and parents, while creative workshops help children express their feelings, improve behaviour, and grow in confidence.”
The donation follows an application through our Community Impact Fund. The Fund is an initiative designed to benefit our localities and the people who live there. Grants of up to £2,000 per project are available for charities and community groups working to support local people.
The fund is made possible thanks to generous donations made by some of our suppliers, as part of their social value delivery commitments.
One of these suppliers is SMS Environmental Ltd, who deliver our Legionella Risk Assessments, Periodic Inspections and Remedial Works, as well as free training sessions to GSA colleagues. Their social value rebate of £8,597 helped to fund Families in East Park.
David Clift, HR Manager at SMS Environmental, said: “We’re proud to partner with GSA to make a real difference in local communities. It’s inspiring to see how our social value contributions can directly support projects such as Families Together in East Park, which create lasting benefits for children and families in Wolverhampton.”
Find out more about our Community Impact Fund here.
