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St. Michael's Fellowship is an independent charity, based in London, that has provided welfare for families for 100 years. Set up originally to provide home and shelter for destitute and ostracised mothers and babies, today it runs residential projects for vulnerable families.

The family usually consists of a mother, or a father or both and one or more children, however we work with families of any composition. More than two hundred families are now seen by St Michael's Fellowship every year.

The prime aim of the charity is to give a child the best possible start in life in the circumstances. Allied to this is the aim to help and encourage the members of a family to become fully integrated into the mainstream of society. This is achieved either through the rehabilitation of the family in a residential centre, or through preventive work in the community. The family may consist of a mother or a father or both and one or more children.

St. Michael's provides accommodation, help and training in residential centres in the boroughs of Lambeth and Wandsworth for families where children are at risk or where there is other emotional, mental or physical hardship. Such support includes an assessment of parenting skills. Each of these projects is in a converted Victorian family house, non-institutional in feel and each is staffed by a professional team.

Project Staffing

Our houses are fully staffed 24 hours a day, and St. Michael's takes great care in employing the right staff for this difficult work.

St. Michael's in the Community

A newer and expanding side of St. Michael's work is that of support for families in their own homes. There are various types of outreach work in which St. Michael's in engaged - including resettlement, community viability assessments and Sure Start. St Michael's also has a small supported housing scheme, offering two self-contained flats to young vulnerable families with a responsible tenant living on the premises.

Resettlement

St. Michael's has employed a resettlement worker for several years now. She performs a valuable role, helping a family move out from one of the houses into their own accommodation. This can be a very difficult time for a parent. The resettlement worker establishes a relationship with the family before they move out and attempts to anticipate the likely problems - what pressure there will be and how much support they will require. Do they have the basics for their new home? Can they budget satisfactorily? SHe may accompany them to a mother and toddler group, or to a second-hand furniture store, or she may help them locate a GP. All these things can be of enormous value to an isolated young mum starting life on her own with a baby. Part of the remit of resettlement is to ensure that where there has been a child protection concern, parents do not revert to old and harmful ways and the child is not put at risk in any way.

Community Viability Assessments

There is always a child protection concern with a family who has been referred for a community viability assessment. In these instances, the children will have been separated from their parents and be settled elsewhere. The question is - is it right to reunite parent and child for a residential assessment. St. Michael's staff observe a number of contacts between the parents and their children, and discuss with the parents their attitude towards looking after their child, how realistic they are about the task ahead, and what they understand of the concerns of social services. Following such meetings and discussions a recommendation is made to social services on the way forward.

What is Special about St. Michael's Fellowship and Why is it Worth Supporting

St. Michael's celebrated its centenary in 2003. Founded by a philanthropist, Agnes Parr, to provide shelter and moral guidance to single mothers of 'good family', it has adapted successfully throughout the past century to its present form. As a small voluntary organisation, it has survived by virtue of its independence and its flexibility. It has been able to incorporate new legal frameworks, different demands of local authorities, and in particular the changing perceptions and requirements of society. Those who are involved with St. Michael's feel that one reason it is special is the respect we try to show to everyone who comes to us for help. For many a mum or dad this may be a new experience. We believe in being honest with parents, talking openly with them and, above all, listening to what they have to say. We also believe in providing excellent accommodation, and the very best of professional help. It is hard to exaggerate how extreme the social deprivation has been for many of these people, how little they bring to their new role of mum or dad. Some tender care, some respect and a willing ear can pay untold dividends to a parent, and consequently to his or her child. We will never say no to a problem before considering it from every angle. We are frequently congratulated for the clarity of our assessments and for giving a family a genuine opportunity to change.

St. Michael's with its long experience and solid expertise, its responsiveness and lack of cumbersome bureaucracy, looks forward to helping further generations both to overcome the difficulties of parenthood and to enjoy its rewards.