A day centre for vulnerable families in Gloucestershire
The Family Haven strives to help vulnerable families in the Gloucestershire area, the families we help are homeless or living in unsuitable accommodation or stuck in the poverty loop as a result of their social and economic circumstances.
Our core aims are:
We do this by providing a day centre where we have a registered nursery with fully qualified staff which offers nursery education, respite and crèche facilities, and one-to-one sessions for those with additional needs for the children. We also offer laundry and bathing facilities, hot midday meals for all, parenting classes, healthy eating workshops, mutual support and buddying to fight isolation, active listening and advice for the parents. Unlike other day care services, we work with the family as a whole, providing both practical and emotional support. We recognise the importance of the holistic approach to achieve our aim of improving the family’s emotional well-being. Happy, confident, relaxed parents make for happy, confident, relaxed children. We concentrate on building self-esteem by focusing on the positives whilst working on areas needing improvement in a non-judgemental and non-prescriptive way. We provide information, advice, advocacy, active listening, stress management, alternative therapies, and access to other agencies. We are the only organisation in Gloucestershire providing this kind of service to families.
The Family Haven from SoGlos on Vimeo.
After a few years as a Trustee at The Family Haven and looking after their IT and computer equipment, I have stepped up my role as Chairman of The Family Haven after the previous Chairman resigned.
The amount of good work that The Family Haven does for the families is remarkable. From the Breakfast club that sees the families enjoying a healthy breakfast together, to the Outreach programme helping families. The Family Haven’s goal is to keep families together whereas other charities target one part of the family to improve it. At The Family Haven we help them all, from the youngest of babies, siblings to the mums and dads in the home. It is a joy to see the families enjoying their time with us from learning how to make healthy meals, learning new skills in the Parenting and Personal Development classes, English and Math classes to also getting parents in to work.
With The Family Haven, having a nursery onsite is a benefit, all are in a safe environment that helps them to develop the skills needed for school as they get older, but also they have fun in the learning process. All of the staff are dedicated to making this happen. This also gives the parents time to relax and learn more themselves by the way of classes which The Family Haven put on for them. The Family Haven also helps with filling out forms and helping them when they are applying for benefits to Job Application.
With the cost of living going up the families are turning more and more to The Family Haven for help. We would not be able to do all the help our families need without the fundraising we do, grants we receive from Trusts and Foundations, and many donations that we receive.
As the Chairman, I see how much The Family Haven means to our families but I also see the dedication off the staff, volunteers and the trustees, to all of them it is not a job but to see the families stay together and every one of the staff goes above and beyond to make sure this works.
I came to Gloucester with my partner and 2 year old son from the South East, we were fleeing violence. People in the community were threatening us and I was very scared. Due to this I lost my confidence and was afraid to leave the house on my own.
When I first came to The Family Haven I was quiet and timid, I wouldn’t say boo to a goose. Coming here helped me come out of my shell; it got me out of the house. I got to know other people and made friends. I built up confidence to get a little part time job for a while. The Staff helped me with problems like money difficulties; they supported me when I was down. They got me confident in doing hairdressing again and even provided a place for me to start doing hair for other people at The Haven.
My children love coming here even the older one who is now at school. He would prefer to come here than go to school.
This is my home away from home, this is my second home. I don’t know what I would have done if they weren’t here, it’s been a life saver for me. The Haven has done more for me than my own family.
Staff and supporters are taking part in a 10.5 mile walk across the Malvern Hills on 22nd August 2026 to raise money for The Family… Read More
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We had a great hands on first aid session with Jessica from the Adult Education Team. We shared what we would like to learn in… Read More
Read MoreThe Family Haven is holding a jumble sale on Saturday 9th May at English Martyres Catholic Church in Tuffley. 12pm to 2pm. We will… Read More
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The Family Haven was established in 1988 to help disadvantaged and vulnerable families in Gloucestershire to a brighter future. We help parents and their pre-school children by providing a warm, caring and supportive day centre where assistance and encouragement is available to help them to improve the quality of their lives – it’s a literally a haven for families in Gloucester with small children who are facing difficult times.