First Step is a small charity based in Havering, which is recognised as a highly professional, specialised, experienced and caring Family Support organisation, working with families of babies and young children with special needs and/or disabilities. For over 36 years, families have contacted First Step at a moment of crisis and uncertainty, normally pre-diagnosis, fearing all is not well with their child. Sometimes they are struggling to be listened to by medical professionals, feeling overwhelmed with the implications of supporting a child with special needs and can often feel isolated.
Families can be referred by professionals or contact us directly.
A family focus group recently highlighted how crucial the initial emotional and practical support provided was, as there is little other assistance available to them. In the words of Andrea, mum of Andrew: “there’s no support anywhere else like it” At First Step, we offer support through Family Support Groups, which meet on a weekly
basis for a session in the morning or afternoon during school term time, with additional Holiday sessions spread over the year that siblings under 8 can also attend.

Whilst a lot of our work is facilitated through the Family Support Groups, additional one to one work is carried out by our Senior workers to address the specific needs of individual families, and to assist in the preparation for application for Disability Living Allowance
(DLA) which can be a daunting task. Families tell us that the support they receive from First Step, contributes to an overall improvement to their mental health and wellbeing for the whole family. Their child with needs is more able to convey their wants and needs, reducing anxiety, frustration and meltdowns. Parents tell us they feel more in control of life improving their own anxiety and worry and life for the whole family is then improved. First Step is entirely dependent on donations and fundraising to support the work of the charity and we appreciate the support of the wider community to help fund the work with families of children with special needs and disabilities.

 

Further to Janet’s information, if you wish to donate via St Andrew’s you can as usual by giving Cheques payable to ‘Hornchurch PCC’ with COM First Steps written on the back. We will collate the donations and send on to them.

Supporting the people of Ukraine has been on many of our hearts and minds over the past weeks.

Bishop Guli wrote an article for the Essex Chronicle last week, and in it, she says:

It’s easy to feel helpless when we are so far away, but we can make a difference. In the United Kingdom we often take our freedom to speak out for granted, but we can make the most of that freedom now by keeping pressure on our Government to help Ukrainian refugees; by writing to our Members of Parliament, local newspapers and using our voices on social media.

We can also support the people of Ukraine through one of the many organisations accepting financial donations. Among them are:

• The Diocese in Europe and USPG: this is a joint appeal to provide humanitarian support in Ukraine and for refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries.
• The DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee): brings together leading charities and are providing humanitarian aid in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries, for refugees.

You can read more about these appeals and find out more about their work by clicking the links above.

As we hear more about our government’s plans for the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ sponsorship scheme, the Sanctuary Foundation is also inviting pledges of different kinds of support which will help to assist and accelerate the government response.

Of course, we also continue to hold the people of Ukraine and Russia in prayer.

God of peace and justice,
we pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion
to guide their actions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen.