What we do
At Barnardo's Heshima Family Support Centre we provide a number of different services.
Specialist Family Support Service
The social work team offers a family support service to families living in Croydon and Lambeth who might be experiencing difficulties, or going through a transition in their lives.
The work may involve:
- improving communication between family members
- strengthening parenting skills
- helping to manage behavioural difficulties
- managing moments of change within the family, eg separation or loss.
The work involves regular meetings with one or two workers at the centre or within the family home. The meeting could involve all members of a family or a combination of family members. We offer time and space for people to think and talk about their difficulties and experiences. We help families to identify how they can work towards change.
We also offer individual time for children, and use play therapy techniques to help them share how they might be feeling, and try to make some sense of their lives.
Upper Norwood Children’s Centre
We are one Croydon’s Children’s Centre which offers services, activities and support for families with children under five. They are open to all and you do not need an appointment to come along.
Our centre is unique and provides a wide range of services and activities you might need as parent or carer under the age of five:
- health services like breast feeding support, baby clinics, nutrition and post-natal groups
- Stay and Play for parents and carers to bring their babies and children to play.
- information from Croydon’s Family Information Service
- jobs, careers and training information for parents and carers who are thinking about looking for work (Jobplus- which enable/encourage parents and carers support and guidance to employment).
Family Contacts Service
Heshima is a neutral meeting place where children of separated families can enjoy contact with one (or both) parents, and sometimes other family members; in a comfortable and safe environment when there is no viable alternative. We aim to provide short-term help and support towards establishing meaningful contact between child/ren and visiting parent/family members, during or after family break-up.
The centre ensures that the interests of the child/ren always receive priority and comply with a comprehensive code of practice.
