Welcome to FACES
FACES (Family and Children's Early-help Services) is a well established local independent charity offering practical and emotional support to families under stress.
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FACES supports local children and families faced with difficult issues such as mental and physical health, domestic abuse, poverty, child sexual exploitation and behavioural issues via a range of quality-tested
services and family support groups, many led by the team of dedicated volunteers. We do this by recruiting and training volunteers who work alongside our family support practitioners to deliver a unique menu of tailored services directly to a family, in their own home. Please view the below video to understand more about who we are.
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Ways We Help
FACES is a local charity providing a holistic approach to solving some
of our communities biggest challenges.
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We operate within a range of preventative services available to children in need or families under stress. Families are generally referred to FACES by professionals, however every year around a quarter of families refer themselves. Many of the families who are referred to us find access to mainstream services difficult.
If you are not sure if we can support you or a family you are referring, we welcome enquiries by telephone, email or by calling into the office in person. FACES are open from 9am-5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am-4pm on Friday.
THE QUEENS AWARD
THE MBE FOR VOLUNTARY GROUPS
FACES are enormously proud to have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK, often called the ‘MBE for groups’.​
FACES Volunteers offer practical and emotional support to those who need it. Our diverse team of volunteers come from all over and include parents, grand-parents, and people with experience of working with children and families.​ We also train to assist in children’s centres, or take an extended course to work with families in their homes, which can be a useful step to employment or further education.
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This is a fabulous recognition of the extraordinary work that our volunteers carry out, and the dedication and hard work of the staff team in training and supporting each volunteer.​ We are so proud of our unique services, our ethos and the outcomes that the children and families that we support can achieve. Anybody who visits us, works in partnership with us, volunteers with us or benefits directly from the services we provide will know that this is something we will not compromise on and we will work with each child, parent and family for as long as it is necessary to ensure that the children we support live happier, healthier and safer lives.
Want to donate?
FACES support services are free and confidential. Services are paid for by our supporters through grants, trusts and donations.
There are many different ways you can support local families. Whether it is donating pre-loved baby equipment to our baby bank, or sending a cash donation. Any way you can help is greatly appreciated. ​​
Are you worried about a child?
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We all have a statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
If you think a child is being abused or mistreated or you have concerns about the safety of a child, you must speak to somebody immediately. You can call the Integrated Front Door (IFD) on 01234 718700 (office hours) or ring 0300 300 8123 (out of hours)
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In an emergency call the police 999.
Contact FACES
Church Lane Community Centre
147 Church Lane
Bedford
MK41 0PW
