What is family, community and interpersonal relationships?
The family, community and interpersonal relationships focus area is about cultivating positive relationships for children and young people between themselves, their families and their broader communities.
Family or carer relationships are important as they are central to individual wellbeing (1). These relationships help to build trust within the family unit and provide a support structure for young people to rely on when facing tough situations or mental health challenges (1). Community relationships are important for young people to maintain a sense of self and identity and has known benefits for youth mental health and educational attainment (2). Additionally, young people feeling connected with their local community leads to more active citizenship and participation in the community in the short term and long term into adulthood (3). In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people feel a connection to their local community and the time is ripe for more young people to be involved in their community and reap these benefits of community engagement (4).
Why is it important to Ormiston Trust?
Ormiston Trust is committed to empowering others and sustaining success. A large part of facilitating this is ensuring children and young people have support networks within their families and communities to be successful in academic education and later life and cope with any challenges they may face. Furthermore, community engagement has the ability to empower young people to make a difference in their communities in the future and empower others in their local communities in the process.
Grant programme examples: Parental engagement, children centres, prison visitor centres, community space, community cafes, parenting advice, family support etc
Desired Outcomes:
References
(1) Relationships Australia. “Why are healthy family relationships important”. Relationships Australia. https://www.raq.org.au/faq/why-are-healthy-family-relationships-important
(2) Chris Elmore MP. ” How do we engage more young people in their local communities”. The Fabian Society. https://fabians.org.uk/how-do-we-engage-more-young-people-in-their-local-communities/
(3) Positive for Youth Summit working paper, 2011. “Young people’s role in society”. Gov.uk
(4) National Lottery Community Fund. “2021: Importance of communities set to remain high as people identify loneliness and isolation as a key issue to tackle in their local”. National Lottery Community Fund. https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/news/press-releases/2021-01-12/2021-importance-of-communities-set-to-remain-high-as-people-identify-loneliness-and-isolation-as-a-key-issue-to-tackle-in-their-local-area
