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Published on 8th December 2023

Dylan’s Story released to help children deal with visiting a parent in prison

A specially-created animation and book will give children dealing with the trauma of having a parent in prison a vital tool in coping with the isolation, shame and stigma they can experience. Ormiston Families is releasing the animation and illustrated book to offer children an insight into life behind bars, what visiting prison is like,…
A specially-created animation and book will give children dealing with the trauma of having a parent in prison a vital tool in coping with the isolation, shame and stigma they can …
Published on 3rd November 2023

News round-up – September

September saw our fundraising and events teams back on the case making sure that we carried on the momentum of a brilliant summer. It was an extremely busy month for us, and we’re delighted to have raised much needed funds for our services. Did you attend our Walk with a Fork 2023 event? We were…
September saw our fundraising and events teams back on the case making sure that we carried on the momentum of a brilliant summer. It was an extremely busy month for us, and we’r…
Published on 22nd September 2023

News round-up – August

August is often a quieter time of year for our fundraising and events teams – but we’re still thrilled to have a few a few highlights to share with you. Finalists in the CYP Now Awards! First up, we’re over the moon that we’ve been shortlisted for two awards for this year’s Children and Young…
August is often a quieter time of year for our fundraising and events teams – but we’re still thrilled to have a few a few highlights to share with you. Finalists in the CY…
Published on 30th August 2023

Endings and Beginnings… Gardens and Houses

An inspirational talk on the combined power of determination and talent is set to raise funds for Ormiston Families. Lady Xa Tollemache, Ormiston Families President, will be joined by writer and performer, Hopwood DePree, on the evening of October 7th at Bergh Apton Church from 7pm to talk about achieving their dreams. Lady Xa set…
An inspirational talk on the combined power of determination and talent is set to raise funds for Ormiston Families. Lady Xa Tollemache, Ormiston Families President, will be joined…
Published on 24th August 2023

News round-up – July

This month has been extremely hectic at Ormiston Families. Both our paid staff and our incredible volunteers have done outstanding work in strengthening our services. Get in touch with us if you want to learn more about our services or join our team as a volunteer. We’re close to the £6,000 mark for our Shining…
This month has been extremely hectic at Ormiston Families. Both our paid staff and our incredible volunteers have done outstanding work in strengthening our services. Get in touch …
Published on 19th July 2023

News round-up – June

Once again it has been a busy month here at Ormiston Families. We’ve had some fantastic events take place, and the efforts shown by our volunteers have brought some important projects to fruition. Without their help, we could never achieve half as much as we do, and the lives of the families and children we…
Once again it has been a busy month here at Ormiston Families. We’ve had some fantastic events take place, and the efforts shown by our volunteers have brought some important pro…
Published on 20th June 2023

News round-up – May

Wow, May went fast. Yet again, our incredible volunteers and staff have gone beyond to help raise much needed funds for our services.   We never take for granted the efforts that our volunteers make. It makes a huge difference to the lives of vulnerable children.   If you’d like to join our team of volunteers…
Wow, May went fast. Yet again, our incredible volunteers and staff have gone beyond to help raise much needed funds for our services.   We never take for granted the efforts that …
Published on 12th May 2023

News round-up – April

It’s been another amazing month for our volunteers and staff, who are continuing to work hard to support children and families throughout the East of England. Let’s take a quick look at what everyone has been up to and what we’ve got coming up. Our Voices Easter Drop In session A core part of our…
It’s been another amazing month for our volunteers and staff, who are continuing to work hard to support children and families throughout the East of England. Let’s take a quic…
Published on 5th April 2023

News Round-up – March

Spring is here and there’s plenty to look forward to here at Ormiston Families. March saw us working hard to raise awareness of our services and generate much-needed funds to support those in need. Here’s a round-up of what has been going on. Improving family ties in prison thanks to Dylan’s story – March 10…
Spring is here and there’s plenty to look forward to here at Ormiston Families. March saw us working hard to raise awareness of our services and generate much-needed funds to sup…
Published on 22nd March 2023

Robert Parkinson steps down as Ormiston Families Chair

After completing a full term as a Trustee, and ensuring the Board has selected his successor, Ormiston Families’ Chair Robert Parkinson has now stepped down from the position to pursue fresh challenges. At his final Board meeting , Robert praised staff across the organisation for their professionalism and compassionate commitment to delivering services to so…
After completing a full term as a Trustee, and ensuring the Board has selected his successor, Ormiston Families’ Chair Robert Parkinson has now stepped down from the position…
Published on 25th November 2022

Finalists at Children and Young People Now Awards

Ormiston Families is honoured to be a finalist for the prestigious Children and Young People Now Awards in the Charity Award category. Members of the Ormiston Families team attended a glitzy ceremony on Thursday, November 24, for the awards, considered the gold standard for everyone working with children, young people and families. Now in their…
Ormiston Families is honoured to be a finalist for the prestigious Children and Young People Now Awards in the Charity Award category. Members of the Ormiston Families team attende…
Published on 23rd November 2022

Government’s Chief Inspector shares reality of UK prisons at Ormiston Families Annual Lecture

The man in charge of inspecting the UK’s prisons delivered an eye-opening talk on their current state at Ormiston Families’ annual lecture. Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, shared anecdotes and images from some of Britain’s prisons at a talk for Ormiston Families’ annual lecture at Murray Edwards College in Cambridge on Monday, November…
The man in charge of inspecting the UK’s prisons delivered an eye-opening talk on their current state at Ormiston Families’ annual lecture. Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspect…
Published on 12th October 2022

Ormiston Families’ daring mud runners take on The Whole Hog to raise over £3,000

On 9th October, a team of 35 brave runners took on The Whole Hog, a 5-mile muddy obstacle course, raising over £3,200 for Ormiston Families in the process. The team, made up of loyal supporters, some Ormiston Families staff and staff of corporate partners Seven Resourcing, crawled under cargo nets and through tunnels, climbed over…
On 9th October, a team of 35 brave runners took on The Whole Hog, a 5-mile muddy obstacle course, raising over £3,200 for Ormiston Families in the process. The team, made up of lo…
Published on 21st September 2022

Alan Titchmarsh MBE shares moving reflections of time with Her Late Majesty at Ormiston Families fundraising event

Gardener, author and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh MBE shared a poignant reflection and some amusing personal anecdotes of a longtime association with the late Queen at an exclusive Ormiston Families fundraising lunch. The popular television personality and bestselling novelist was Ormiston Families’ guest for a sell-out occasion which took place in Framsden Hall Barn, part of…
Gardener, author and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh MBE shared a poignant reflection and some amusing personal anecdotes of a longtime association with the late Queen at an exclusive …
Published on 12th September 2022

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – A Statement from our CEO

It is with the greatest of sympathy and sadness, that Ormiston Families acknowledges the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Throughout her 70 year reign, The Queen has been an unwavering supporter of so many charities and causes, such as ours. In particular, she has shown great appreciation for the work of organisations whose…
It is with the greatest of sympathy and sadness, that Ormiston Families acknowledges the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Throughout her 70 year reign, The Queen has been…
Published on 31st August 2022

#WeWill…Deliver an outstanding summer wellbeing experience, pledged Ormiston Families

For three consecutive Saturdays throughout the summer holidays, the Ormiston Families’ #WeWill team took over school fields across Great Yarmouth to deliver its Summer Fun Days, for families and youngsters in the region. Holly Dowsing, Ormiston Families’ #WeWill Programme Coordinator, outlines the huge success of these events below! Wellbeing Ambassadors felt strongly that such events…
For three consecutive Saturdays throughout the summer holidays, the Ormiston Families’ #WeWill team took over school fields across Great Yarmouth to deliver its Summer Fun Days, …
Published on 27th July 2022

The Hidden Sentence: Trauma caused by witnessing an arrest

When Katie’s* dad was arrested at home, she was there to witness everything. The battering ram breaking down the front door and a team of armed police officers and dogs entering the house, frantically spreading into each room. Katie and her younger siblings cowered in the corner, petrified by the avalanche of shouting and movement.…
When Katie’s* dad was arrested at home, she was there to witness everything. The battering ram breaking down the front door and a team of armed police officers and dogs entering …
Published on 20th July 2022

Our #WeWill project thriving on the Norfolk coast

Ormiston Families is delivering its #WeWill project to Ormiston Venture Academy in Gorleston, Great Yarmouth. The #WeWill project is designed to empower the children and young people of Great Yarmouth to support the wellbeing of their peers and make meaningful change in their coastal communities. The project has been training Wellbeing Ambassadors to lead the…
Ormiston Families is delivering its #WeWill project to Ormiston Venture Academy in Gorleston, Great Yarmouth. The #WeWill project is designed to empower the children and young peop…
Published on 10th June 2022

Ormiston Families sets up parent support group ‘Stronger Together’

Parents and carers of children with additional needs or disabilities can face a lonely struggle to find these children the support they need. Thriving in school, connecting with peers and developing mentally and emotionally are milestones made possible for these children by a limited number of extracurricular resources. Recognition for the parents and carers of…
Parents and carers of children with additional needs or disabilities can face a lonely struggle to find these children the support they need. Thriving in school, connecting with pe…
Published on 3rd March 2022

Roger Graef OBE

It’s with great sadness, and a debt of gratitude, that we acknowledge the passing of our patron, Roger Graef OBE. Born in the USA, Roger became famous the world over for his incredible contribution to film and television. He was responsible for producing and writing numerous documentaries, and in so doing bringing so many significant…
It’s with great sadness, and a debt of gratitude, that we acknowledge the passing of our patron, Roger Graef OBE. Born in the USA, Roger became famous the world over for his incr…
Published on 21st December 2021

Ormiston Families’ 2021 Fundraising Events Summary

Fundraising has been a difficult task over the last couple of years, with our Philanthropy Team in particular having to get creative in order to raise vital funds for our services around lockdowns, social distancing and other all-new obstacles. And in spite of these challenges, our team worked tirelessly to rally community support and donations…
Fundraising has been a difficult task over the last couple of years, with our Philanthropy Team in particular having to get creative in order to raise vital funds for our services …
Published on 15th December 2021

Ormiston Families to deliver child bereavement service

Ormiston Families is delighted to announce that Cambridgeshire-based Stars Children’s Bereavement Support Service is to become part of the organisation. Stars has been providing support to bereaved children and young people since 2006, having originally been set up by a group of counsellors who were concerned about the lack of support available to children whose…
Ormiston Families is delighted to announce that Cambridgeshire-based Stars Children’s Bereavement Support Service is to become part of the organisation. Stars has been providing …
Published on 14th December 2021

Youth in Mind – Newsletter Issue 3

Since Spring, Ormiston Families’ Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service has been actively involved in the Youth in Mind project, helping to shape mental health service in Norfolk and Waveney. The latest issue of the Youth in Mind newsletter can be downloaded here or below – this issue introduces the Youth in Mind team…
Since Spring, Ormiston Families’ Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service has been actively involved in the Youth in Mind project, helping to shape mental heal…
Published on 9th December 2021

An enormous congratulations to the Small Steps Together team for their success at the 2021 Children & Young People Now Awards, scooping The Early Years Award! The award results were announced at a virtual ceremony on 25th November, watched live by many at Ormiston Families. The service was commended for its vital work in helping…
An enormous congratulations to the Small Steps Together team for their success at the 2021 Children & Young People Now Awards, scooping The Early Years Award! The award results…
Published on 23rd November 2021

#AllDoorsOpen This Christmas

Donate to our #AllDoorsOpen This Christmas Campaign below: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/alldoorsopenthisxmas Throughout 2021, we’ve been celebrating our 40th anniversary with our #AllDoorsOpen campaign, highlighting how our work helps children, young people and families in the East of England to open the doorways to hope and opportunity. And as we head towards a festive season that we hope…
Donate to our #AllDoorsOpen This Christmas Campaign below: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/alldoorsopenthisxmas Throughout 2021, we’ve been celebrating our 40th anniversary w…
Published on 8th October 2021

#TeamOrmistonFamilies completes the 2021 London Marathon!

A huge congratulations to our 8 amazing runners who completed the London Marathon in aid of Ormiston Families on 3rd October! Jo, Naomi, Michelle, Holly, Liam, Donna, Tim and Vicky all completed the 26.2 mile run on a relatively bright and dry day in London last Sunday, raising over £7,600 (as of 7th October, excluding…
A huge congratulations to our 8 amazing runners who completed the London Marathon in aid of Ormiston Families on 3rd October! Jo, Naomi, Michelle, Holly, Liam, Donna, Tim and Vicky…
Published on 16th September 2021

Ormiston Families shortlisted for Investors In People Awards 2021

Ormiston Families is delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for The Third Sector Award at the Investors In People Awards 2021. In a record-breaking year for entries, with nearly three hundred organisations involved, this is an outstanding achievement and one that everyone at Ormiston Families is proud of. The Investors in People Awards…
Ormiston Families is delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for The Third Sector Award at the Investors In People Awards 2021. In a record-breaking year for entries, w…
Published on 7th September 2021

Ormiston Families delivers mental health training at North Walsham Town FC

7th September 2021 is Youth Mental Health Day in the UK, a day that encourages understanding and awareness of mental health in young people. The Link, Ormiston Families’ project which provides advice, support and training to adults who work with children and young people aged 0-18 across Norfolk and Waveney, recently visited North Walsham Town…
7th September 2021 is Youth Mental Health Day in the UK, a day that encourages understanding and awareness of mental health in young people. The Link, Ormiston Families’ project …
Published on 25th June 2021

David Breakspear’s inspirational journey

Our latest anniversary campaign story sees us catching up with David Breakspear, a criminal justice champion, and reformed prisoner. He opens up about the role Ormiston Families played in supporting him and his family through the difficult periods of his imprisonment. As turnaround stories go, David Breakspear’s is surely up there with the most inspirational.…
Our latest anniversary campaign story sees us catching up with David Breakspear, a criminal justice champion, and reformed prisoner. He opens up about the role Ormiston Families pl…
Published on 25th June 2021

A chat with Lucy Adams, an Ormiston Families Cluster Manager

As part of our 40th anniversary celebrations, we’ve been speaking to some of our wonderful staff about their achievements and experiences with us. First up, we had a chat with Lucy Adams, one of our longest-serving service Cluster Managers whose career has spanned many prisons and helped countless prisoners and their families. Ormiston Families celebrates…
As part of our 40th anniversary celebrations, we’ve been speaking to some of our wonderful staff about their achievements and experiences with us. First up, we had a chat with Lu…
Published on 7th May 2021

A loving legacy

Since its inception, Ormiston Families has been responsible for bringing hope, opportunity, support and compassion to so many. None of that would have been possible, were it not for one man, whose idea it was to create the charity, in memory of his late sister. To launch our anniversary campaign year, we talk to our…
Since its inception, Ormiston Families has been responsible for bringing hope, opportunity, support and compassion to so many. None of that would have been possible, were it not fo…
Published on 30th March 2021

New partnership for delivering children and young people’s mental health services

A new Partnership has been set up to bring together mental and emotional health services for children and young people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The Partnership is made up of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, Centre 33 and Ormiston Families. Together we will bring our expertise to help build…
A new Partnership has been set up to bring together mental and emotional health services for children and young people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The Partnership is made u…
Published on 9th March 2021

Breaking Barriers Essex wins High Sheriff’s Shield Award

We are delighted to announce that Ormiston Families has won the High Sheriff’s Shield Award at the prestigious High Sheriff’s Awards! Our Breaking Barriers Essex team was awarded the Shield in recognition of ‘their work helping children across Essex to deal with having a parent or carer in prison.’ In total 23 charities tackling crime,…
We are delighted to announce that Ormiston Families has won the High Sheriff’s Shield Award at the prestigious High Sheriff’s Awards! Our Breaking Barriers Essex team was award…
Published on 3rd February 2021

Romeo Done – a 24 hour live stream DJ event

If you hadn’t already heard, our very own Major Donor and Corporate Fundraising Manager Gavin Lamb is a DJ, and part of the team at Romeo Done – a Kisstory style club night bringing back all the old skool club classics. On February 12th from 7.30pm, Gavin alongside Gareth the creator of the Romeo Done…
If you hadn’t already heard, our very own Major Donor and Corporate Fundraising Manager Gavin Lamb is a DJ, and part of the team at Romeo Done – a Kisstory style club n…
Published on 15th January 2021

Rewriting the story – our new animation

Ormiston Families’ income generation team has produced a brand new animation, and we are extremely proud to present it to you today. This film highlights the stories of three individuals going through very different but equally challenging life experiences, and how we can support them to rewrite their stories and create brighter futures for themselves.…
Ormiston Families’ income generation team has produced a brand new animation, and we are extremely proud to present it to you today. This film highlights the stories of three ind…
Published on 1st December 2020

The forgotten victims of crime

All too often the children of parents who have been incarcerated are the forgotten victims of crime. Families who have a loved one in prison are left with financial concerns, childcare issues, and the huge emotional burden on the children and partners left behind. With a single parent or caregiver left to pick up the…
All too often the children of parents who have been incarcerated are the forgotten victims of crime. Families who have a loved one in prison are left with financial concerns, child…
Published on 11th November 2020

A Brighter Christmas

Working across the East of England, we provide mental health and wellbeing services to enable children, young people and their families to feel safe, healthy and resilient. For some of the children, young people and families we support, Christmas can be a very difficult time. Some children will be missing a parent in prison, other…
Working across the East of England, we provide mental health and wellbeing services to enable children, young people and their families to feel safe, healthy and resilient. For som…
Published on 27th July 2020

New Mental Health Support Teams in Schools

The Norfolk and Waveney Health and Care Partnership has been granted funding to provide new Mental Health Support Teams in schools. Our current wave of trainees will finish their learning year in January 2021 and will be working with schools across North Norfolk and Kings Lynn to support children dealing with anxiety, low mood and…
The Norfolk and Waveney Health and Care Partnership has been granted funding to provide new Mental Health Support Teams in schools. Our current wave of trainees will finish their l…
Published on 2nd July 2020

BBC Children in Need Booster Grant for Breaking Barriers

We are delighted to have received a BBC Children in Need COVID-19 2020 Booster Programme grant of £3,000 to our Breaking Barriers service in Suffolk. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, our Breaking Barriers practitioners were working with children already suffering from mental health issues, worse school engagement and negative relationships with a parent in prison,…
We are delighted to have received a BBC Children in Need COVID-19 2020 Booster Programme grant of £3,000 to our Breaking Barriers service in Suffolk. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemi…
Published on 30th June 2020

152 organisations call on Government to put children at the heart of recovery

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been widespread, affecting the lives of every baby, child and young person in the country. This generation of children face unprecedented threats to their childhoods. They deserve an unprecedented response. We are joining 150+ organisations in a call to Government to put babies, children and young people at…
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been widespread, affecting the lives of every baby, child and young person in the country. This generation of children face unprecedented th…
Published on 15th May 2020

Mental Health Awareness Week – Kindness Rocks

Mental Health Awareness Week is taking place 18th-24th May 2020. This week is a reminder to us all to check in on our friends, family and neighbours to ask how they are or how you can support them. It is also a reminder to us all that mental health is just as important as physical…
Mental Health Awareness Week is taking place 18th-24th May 2020. This week is a reminder to us all to check in on our friends, family and neighbours to ask how they are or how you …
Published on 29th April 2020

#ResilienceMeans

Resilience is a word that has been used a lot since we have been on lockdown. It’s a word which we at Ormiston Families use often and forms part of our vision for families across the East of England. We strive to help families, young people and children build resilience in order to feel strong…
Resilience is a word that has been used a lot since we have been on lockdown. It’s a word which we at Ormiston Families use often and forms part of our vision for families ac…
Published on 24th April 2020

‘I had a bad dream mummy’

Thank you to Toni Bentley, Operations Manager at our Point 1 service, for sending in a blog about resilience and how this global situation is affecting children throughout the country. Point 1 is a mental health support service we provide for children and young people up to the age of 17.   ‘I had a…
Thank you to Toni Bentley, Operations Manager at our Point 1 service, for sending in a blog about resilience and how this global situation is affecting children throughout the coun…
Published on 30th March 2020

Something to brighten your day!

Charities like ours are needed more than ever right now. Despite these very difficult circumstances, we are continuing to support our service users in the best way we can, thanks to our dedicated practitioners. Throughout this challenging time, we find ourselves looking for positivity, distraction and fun – and so we are running an online…
Charities like ours are needed more than ever right now. Despite these very difficult circumstances, we are continuing to support our service users in the best way we can, thanks t…
Published on 19th March 2020

Fun indoors with the kids!

The fantastic team who run Play Out Childcare have come up with some great activities to keep you and the kids entertained, learning and having fun together while self-isolating. Take a look! We really appreciate all the families who are self-isolating with their child at the moment, and we understand that your child probably doesn’t…
The fantastic team who run Play Out Childcare have come up with some great activities to keep you and the kids entertained, learning and having fun together while self-isolating. T…
Published on 17th March 2020

Covid-19 Walk With a Fork update

Important Announcement Walk with a Fork Norfolk Postponement In line with government advice,  we have made the difficult decision to postpone our Norfolk Walk With A Fork event due to take place on 29 March 2020.  We are working closely with Raynham Hall  to secure a new date in the autumn and a further update…
Important Announcement Walk with a Fork Norfolk Postponement In line with government advice,  we have made the difficult decision to postpone our Norfolk Walk With A Fork event du…
Published on 14th February 2020

Quiz and Mezze Night is a roaring success!

Our recent Quiz and Mezze Night held at Fynn Valley Golf Club on 4th February was a roaring success, and we’d like to thank all our supporters who came and made the night so special. Through ticket sales, a raffle and auction we raised just under £1800 – an incredible amount which will help us…
Our recent Quiz and Mezze Night held at Fynn Valley Golf Club on 4th February was a roaring success, and we’d like to thank all our supporters who came and made the night so spec…
Published on 31st January 2020

Ormiston Families announces new goal to mark Children’s Mental Health Week

Encouraged by Children’s Mental Health Week call to ‘find your brave’, we are announcing our plans to extend  services to reach 2,000 more young people who need support across the region … Around three children in every primary school class has a mental health problem, and many more struggle with challenges from bullying to bereavement. …
Encouraged by Children’s Mental Health Week call to ‘find your brave’, we are announcing our plans to extend  services to reach 2,000 more young people who need support acro…
Published on 16th January 2020

Fay Reid – Transforming Rehabilitation

Ormiston Families supports young people and their families across the East of England to feel safe, healthy and resilient and provide them with the tools their need to look after their wellbeing and build a brighter future. Our aim is to help people make choices to improve the life chances of their children. Fay Reid…
Ormiston Families supports young people and their families across the East of England to feel safe, healthy and resilient and provide them with the tools their need to look after t…
Published on 20th December 2019

The trickiest time of the year

For some families, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. For far too many though, it is the trickiest time. Ormiston Families aims to make a positive difference to families across the east of England who are struggling and have nowhere else to turn to for support. Here’s a round-up of some of…
For some families, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. For far too many though, it is the trickiest time. Ormiston Families aims to make a positive difference to fami…