AFIA - Away From It All
This is a holiday scheme organized and funded by Mothers Union as a practical and important way to help support family life.
Anyone who is under financial or emotional stress and feels they need a break can apply, provided they meet the listed criteria. We offer a variety of holiday options and try to match the family's requirements.
Child Contact Centres
Two centres, one in Frome and one in North Somerset are operated and funded by the Mothers' Union. They provide a neutral venue where, following a family break up, a non- resident parent can see their child in a safe and neutral environment.
Both centres have received accredited from the National Association of Child Contact Centres.
Families are usually referred via solicitors or the courts and occasionally by Social Services.
Baby Gowns & Knitted Items
There are four hospitals in the Diocese, Bath, Taunton, Yeovil and Weston Super Mare and we supply their Maternity units with :
- Baby Gowns and quilted covers for very premature and stillborn babies. These are beautifully made by members from kits.
- 'pop-in' bags in bright colours which are made for the children who need chemotherapy at Taunton hospital.
- Knitted 'Angel Pockets', bonnets, bootees and blankets are also provided. A cross stitch card is included with a prayer in it.
Knitted Items
Baby clothes and blankets are provided for young teenage Mums, increasingly through Children's Centres that are being established in many towns. Large knitted blankets go to various nursing homes. Jumpers, hats, gloves and scarves are sent to Eastern Europe and we often receive requests further afield when there has been an emergency.
Parenting Groups
Bringing up children is fun and rewarding but nobody ever said it was easy. By becoming part of an informal parenting group and with the help of a trained facilitator parents can learn together how to bring up confident and happy children.
Prison Project
There is only one prison in the Diocese at Shepton Mallet.
In the past there were as many eighty volunteers involved in running the Safe Play Area. The prison is now used for men with long-term sentences and members now go once a month to the 'Cornhill Classics' social evenings. The operation of these sessions has been taken over by Age Concern. They are still keen for our volunteers to be involved.
Members also help out on the 'Extended Families Visits' days.
Women's Refuges
There are several women's refuges across the diocese and members provide a variety of items, including, toiletries, bedding, cleaning items and non-perishable goods. Some branches collect at Easter and Christmas only but many collect throughout the year. We have also provided cookery books for young Mums and several families have benefited from a holiday under our AFIA scheme.
