Totton youth and families charity has the whole town behind them as they celebrate 30 years

The people of Totton have come out in force to show their appreciation for local charity Youth and Families Matter, which for 30 years now has been helping the townspeople through tough times.

YFM was initially established as the community project of Testwood Baptist Church, and in 2009 became an independently registered charity.

Throughout that time, they’ve helped young people, families and vulnerable adults make positive changes in their lives in a space where they feel safe.

Project Leader Kelly Price said: “We’re immensely proud of the support and engagement we have from our local community in Totton – individuals, schools and local businesses.

“They say it takes a village, but we’re glad to have a whole town backing us in our work!”

Nowadays the charity touches base with more than 200 people each week, offering one-to-one and group support, practical help, and parenting courses.

They’ve grown from two members of staff back in 1993 to 12 today, as well as a team of three who run Totton’s much-loved coffee and charity shop, The Chapel.

It’s all made possible by the dedication of their volunteers, whose hard work earned YFM the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020.

Laura Murray, Cafe Manager at The Chapel

“We pride ourselves on supporting a person for as long as is required”, Kelly explained.

“Our help doesn’t have a cut-off point, which sadly is the case for many support services.

“We’re proud to be part of people’s stories, walking with them through the bigger challenges life can throw, helping them find strength in adversity and having a front row seat to the positive changes that can follow.”

Now more than ever, the charity and those it supports face a ‘perfect storm’ of hardships – but Kelly and her team are not to be deterred.

“2023 has been an incredibly tough year, one of our toughest yet”, she added.

“No doubt the future has further challenges in store as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite individuals and families already facing significant challenges.

“But, using grassroots level insights, the future will see us working alongside valued partner organisations to help campaign on issues around child protection and poverty to improve outcomes for local people.”

• youthandfamiliesmatter.org.uk

Read more – Young people find ‘support’, ‘confidence’ and ‘joy’ on board Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust sailing adventures