About
Ethos and Mission
Ormiston Families works with families, recognising their strengths and tailoring support that empowers individuals and communities. The charity’s ethos is underpinned by the principles of collaboration, compassion and effectiveness. Services are rooted in early intervention and evidence-based practice. The overarching mission is to improve the life chances of children and families, especially those facing adversity. Ormiston Families delivers a broad suite of services across three core domains:
Families Affected by Offending
The charity supports children and young people with a loved one involved in the criminal justice system, offering a vital lifeline through:
Prisoners' Family Services: Operating in 8 prison locations across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, these services create welcoming, child-friendly environments, reduce stigma and offer emotional support to families.
Probation Family Services: Helping maintain family connections post-sentence to support rehabilitation and emotional recovery.
Breaking Barriers: One-to-one counselling for children impacted by parental imprisonment, focusing on emotional regulation, improved confidence, and school engagement.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Recognising the critical importance of mental health, the charity delivers early intervention and therapeutic services including:
Stars: A specialist bereavement programme supporting children and young people aged 4–19 across Cambridgeshire, with pre-bereavement support.
Supporting Smiles & YOUnited: Emotional and mental health services across Norfolk and Suffolk, providing rapid, accessible support before crises escalate.
Community-Focused Family Support
Helping families thrive within their communities through:
Mpower: Supporting mothers whose children have entered care, using trauma-informed approaches to rebuild stability and self-worth.
Stronger Together: Peer-led support groups for carers of children with additional needs, fostering empowerment and connection.
Play Out: A nursery supporting up to 100 children, with a strong SEND focus. This is the charity’s only commercial venture, generating income to reinvest into wider services.
Key Highlights from the Year
Impactful Outcomes:
– 89% of families felt safer
– 84% felt emotionally healthier
– 86% felt more resilient
Operational Improvements:
– Strengthened partnerships
– Improved Head Office systems and infrastructure
– Enhanced service quality and reach
Ongoing Advocacy for:
– Better children’s mental health support
– Support for parents of children with additional needs
– Compassionate support for mothers separated from their children
– Increased investment in early intervention
Ambition
Ormiston Families aims to strengthen its long-term sustainability by becoming financially robust and self-reliant, reducing dependency on external funding sources.
Alongside this, the charity is committed to expanding the reach of its most impactful services, particularly Stars and Supporting Smiles, ensuring more children and families can access early and meaningful support.
