The John Sykes Foundation is delighted to announce its latest grant award to Daisy’s Dream, supporting an innovative new pilot project designed to help bereaved children and families across Reading.
Daisy’s Dream provides vital bereavement support to children and families, offering tailored interventions based on individual need. Last year alone, the charity received 323 new referrals, with 75 coming specifically from Reading (representing 23% of all referrals and the highest number across Berkshire). Typically, families are supported by trained practitioners over an average of six sessions. However understandably, many continue to need ongoing emotional and practical support beyond this period, creating additional pressure on the charity’s resources.
To address this growing demand, Daisy’s Dream is launching a new befriending volunteer programme, aimed at providing longer-term support to families adjusting to life after bereavement. These trained volunteers will offer companionship, a listening ear, and practical help – essential support in helping families move forward.
The grant of £3,240 from the John Sykes Foundation will fund the development and delivery of this pilot programme over one year. This includes training six volunteers over a three-month period, who will then go on to support up to four families each over the following nine months. The programme will be carefully managed, with agreed support plans for each family and ongoing supervision provided by Daisy’s Dream staff.
John Sykes Foundation Awards Grant to Daisy’s Dream
John Sykes, Founder and Chair of Trustees, added, “Daisy’s Dream does such incredible and important work in supporting children and families through arguably the most difficult times in their lives. We are proud to support this innovative volunteer programme, which will make a meaningful difference to families who need continued care beyond initial bereavement support.”
This pilot initiative will initially focus on families in Reading, ensuring targeted local impact, with the ambition to expand the programme in the future as more volunteers are recruited and trained.
If you would like to apply for a grant from the John Sykes Foundation, please visit our website www.johnsykesfoundation.org
