The funds were provided through Essar’s ‘Let’s Give’ scheme, which links the company’s commitment to safety directly with charitable giving and came after one million hours without a ‘Lost Time Injury’ were recently achieved at the refinery.
Since 2003, Families United (FUn) have supported children with SEND and their families through the organisation of specifically tailored activities that allow member families to participate in and enjoy together. These activities also help the families build a social network of like-minded people, which they can lean on for support and understand together the impact that having a child with SEND can have on their family life.
Mathew James, Essar production team leader, nominated the charity and explained: “Families United is a local charity very close to my heart. Having a child with SEND has a massive impact on family life, something I have first-hand experience of with my eldest, Dylan, who has a rare genetic defect on his GRIN1 gene. This affects his speech, fine and gross motor skills and his visual processing, which requires support throughout the day, along with constant supervision.
“Having the support of FUn has never been more important than over the last 12 months during the pandemic. They have arranged various Covid-19 safe activities for us to be involved in from sending out activity packs to arranging pony visits to family homes. Being in a family member social network has also been a massive support and really helped us feel part of a close community.”
Andrea Machin, chair of Families United (Warrington), said: “It is a great pleasure to receive this generous donation from Essar. As a small charity, it is often challenging to raise sufficient funds to provide events and activities for our members. This has become increasingly difficult during the pandemic. Our member families have children with all types of disabilities, and we aim to provide activities to support the whole family together. Thank you.”
For more information around the work and support offered by Families United (Warrington) visit www.familiesunited.org.uk.