A charity which helps families in crisis across Merseyside has saluted the backing of the Steve Morgan Foundation in achieving “lasting change” for the people they support.

Ferries Family Groups, based at St. Peter’s Church in Rock Ferry, offers support groups, parenting courses, social activities and crisis support for families.

They have just reached the end of the first year of funding of a three-year grant of £60,000 to help with core costs.

“The Steve Morgan Foundation has helped us to get back on our feet following the end of a previous five-year grant,” says Business Manager Ash Vestergaard

“The grant has made a huge difference to our organisation, enabling the project manager to manage staff and have overall supervision to our nine peer support groups. 

“This has included managing and recruiting volunteers and ensuring one-to-one support is provided to those beneficiaries that have complex needs. 

“The project manager has undertaken home visits to those referred into our organisation and communicated with other organisations and individuals with regards to our beneficiaries.”

The services provided by Ferries Family Groups have benefitted almost 350 people over the last year, across all age ranges.

The range of activities are all designed to improve health and wellbeing and reduce isolation via education and training and several different support groups.

“The organisation has made a huge difference to our beneficiaries in many different ways,” adds Ash.

“Through providing parenting programmes and Talking Teens we have equipped parents to parent with confidence. 

“Some attending the parenting courses have also joined our peer support groups and/or enrolled on other courses as they have gained confidence. 

“Our regular peer support groups are a haven for women to come along to chat and be supported through difficult times. 

“We can provide support with attendance to meetings with beneficiaries such as PIP assessment, schools, or going to A&E.

“We continue to run the nine peer support groups, one being a shared reading group, a singing-for-fun group and calm and create group for mental health wellbeing. 

“The project provides regular training for our volunteers and training for new volunteers. 

“We would like to say a huge thanks to the Steve Morgan Foundation for supporting us to support and help our beneficiaries to have success and create lasting change.”