Ormiston Families

Ormiston Families is a UK-based nonprofit organisation and registered charity (Charity number: 1015716) dedicated to supporting children, young people, and their families. Operating primarily across the East of England, the organisation focuses on helping families manage various challenges to improve their overall life chances and well-being.

History and Mission

Established in 1981, Ormiston Families has grown to become one of the leading children's charities in the East of England. Its mission is to create brighter futures by providing support that fosters safer, healthier, and more resilient lives for children and families. The charity adopts a collaborative approach, working with families rather than for them, and emphasizing the importance of safe and trusting relationships to facilitate meaningful change[2][4].

Services and Programmes

Ormiston Families offers a range of services aimed at prevention and early intervention, grounded in evidence-based practice to deliver effective outcomes. Key programmes include:

• Prison Visitor Centres: These centres support families in maintaining ties with imprisoned relatives, particularly children with incarcerated parents. Services include booking visits, family and children's days, play areas, and refreshments, which help reduce reoffending and break cycles of intergenerational offending[4].

• Parenting Courses for Imprisoned Fathers: These courses, including the OCN-accredited "You & Your Child" programme, are designed to develop and maintain positive family links during and after imprisonment[4].

• The One Service: A pioneering social impact bond initiative based in Peterborough, run in partnership with Social Finance and the St Giles Trust. It targets prisoners serving short sentences and their families, aiming to reduce reoffending through sustained family connections. Participation can begin during custody or post-release[4].

Additional services focus on advocacy, advice, and information provision, reflecting the charity’s commitment to supporting families with respect, compassion, and inclusivity regardless of socio-economic or cultural backgrounds[2].

Impact and Reach

Ormiston Families operates across multiple counties in the East of England, including Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, and others. The organisation works in partnership with the NHS, integrated care systems, and local authorities to ensure holistic and accessible support for vulnerable populations[1][5].

The charity continually monitors and evaluates its work to ensure high-quality service and cost-effectiveness, aiming to produce sustainable positive outcomes for those it serves[2].

Governance and Staffing

The charity is governed by a board of trustees and employs over 190 staff, supported by around 30 volunteers. Ormiston Families maintains comprehensive policies covering safeguarding, complaints, risk management, and financial control to uphold transparency and accountability in its operations[5].

Summary

Ormiston Families is a well-established charity focused on empowering children and families through support services that emphasize prevention, early intervention, and resilience-building. Its innovative programmes, especially in supporting families affected by imprisonment, contribute significantly to community well-being and social justice in the East of England.

This article is based on information from the Ormiston Families official website and UK Charity Commission records.

[1] https://www.ormiston.org [2] https://www.ormiston.org/who-we-are/ [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1015716/charity-overview [4] https://www.nicco.org.uk/directory-of-services/ormiston-families [5] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/sector-data/top-10-charities/-/charity-details/1015716/full-print