Families from Redditch have enjoyed a memorable summer day at the seaside thanks to support from children’s charity the Oakland Foundation.
The Foundation provided funding to Bromsgrove and Redditch Best Start Family Hubs to help arrange a trip for dozens of local parents and children to enjoy a day trip to Weston-super-Mare during the school holidays, with some youngsters experiencing the seaside for the very first time.
The outing offered an affordable summer experience, allowing parents and children to spend quality time together away from the everyday pressures of the long school holiday. The initiative reflects the Best Start Family Hub’s commitment to supporting children, young people and families across the area, while also helping raise awareness of the wide range of services available through its network.
Oakland Foundation Trustee Mark Williams attended the coach departure and saw first-hand the excitement and gratitude from families preparing for the trip.
Mark commented: “It was incredibly rewarding to see the anticipation and excitement on the faces of the children as they set off for the seaside. So many parents personally thanked me, and it really brought home the difference a simple day out can make to local families, especially at a time of year that can feel very expensive with the children at home from school.
“What particularly touched me was speaking with a father who told me his daughter had previously benefited from Foundation support to take part in a school trip to France. As a single parent who lost his wife when the children were incredibly young, he explained that these opportunities simply would not have been possible without charitable support. Hearing how much the experience meant to his daughter was incredibly moving and reinforced why initiatives like this matter so much.”
For some children, the trip marked their first opportunity to visit the coast, build sandcastles on the beach and enjoy the traditional pleasures of a day beside the sea.
One parent said: “Really grateful for this opportunity to be able to go out and enjoy as a family.”
Bromsgrove and Redditch Best Start Family Hubs support children, young people, and parents through a range of services including parenting programmes, wellbeing support, activities, advice and practical guidance delivered through local centres, outreach services and online.
The Weston-super-Mare trip forms part of the Hub’s wider work to help families stay connected, reduce isolation and access support within their local communities.
Mark Williams added: “At Oakland Foundation, we want every child to have the chance to enjoy experiences that broaden horizons and build confidence. Simple opportunities such as a day at the seaside can make a lasting difference and bring families together.
“The feedback we’ve received demonstrates the real value of investing in local families, and we’re delighted to have partnered once again with Bromsgrove and Redditch Best Start Family Hubs on such a worthwhile initiative.”
Through grants and community partnerships, the Oakland Foundation supports projects that improve outcomes for children and young people, helping address barriers that can limit educational opportunity, wellbeing and family resilience.
More information about Family Hubs is available on the following link: https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/council-services/childrens-social-care/virtual-family-hub/best-start-worcestershire/whats-and-things-do/best-start-family-hubs