We’ve won the lottery!

We’re celebrating after being awarded a £232,327 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to support our invaluable Family Support Service.

The four years funding programme will allow our team of family advisers, who provide essential support to individuals and their families, to continue their vital work at a time when demand for the service has never been so high.

We will also be continuing our partnership with the Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality (ACRE) to ensure our services reach people from all backgrounds.

ACRE have been awarded £59,144, which will enable their work to continue on the Alafia project – an information and support service for families from ethnic minorities with disabled children.

Both services provide free personalised information, advocacy and practical help to people navigating the benefit, social care, health, education and housing systems – many of whom literally have nowhere else to turn.

Mandi Smith, chief executive of Reading Mencap, said demand for our services is growing and this funding will allow crucial services to continue.

She said: “Many in our community face challenges like disabilities, caring responsibilities and poverty. Our continuing partnership with ACRE will allow us to extend that support to even more individuals and families who need it the most.”

In our annual survey, 100% of family carers rated the quality of the Family Support Service as excellent or good, with 98% saying they have a better understanding of their options and rights

The Family Advisers specialise in social care, advocating for clients and guiding them through complex processes such as Care & Financial Assessments. During 2023, the Family Advisers made and received 3474 contacts and supported 151 individuals and families to successfully access statutory services (social & health care, education, housing, benefits), increase understanding of their options and rights, improve their health & wellbeing, prevent crises and improve overall quality of life.

The majority of people contacting the Family Support team needed support with social care. Family Advisers supported clients to present their needs through Social Care Assessments and Reviews; with care provision and planning; and in the Financial Assessment process. Using the Care Act, the Family Advisers worked with statutory services to highlight issues with delivery of care and failures to meet needs.