The origins of Father Hudson’s Care lie in supporting children and young people. Today, our fostering and family support services continue this work by supporting children and young people who are facing adversity. Our Origins service is dedicated to supporting adults affected by a childood separation from their family of origin.
We also work with schools across the Archdiocese to raise awareness of our work, fundraise, and educate children about supporting others by putting Catholic social care into action.
New Routes provides fostering placements to children and young people in and around Birmingham who are unable to live with their birth families. Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, New Routes is a preferred provider of many local authorities in the area.
It is the commitment shown that sets New Routes apart from other agencies. Foster carers receive full initial training and induction, plus ongoing training and advice, access to a mentor, regular support groups and invitations to social events. This is underpinned by a small, dedicated team who get to know the children and foster carers so they can provide a personal service at every stage.
Our Family Support Workers provide outreach work in schools and through home visits to children, young people and families who are experiencing difficulties, particularly where a child’s welfare and education are being affected.
They work with the family to identify and address underlying problems, such as parental separation, mental health problems, substance misuse, parental neglect and abuse. Although based in schools, Support Workers are independent and will advocate on the families’ behalf to ensure they receive the help they need.
Father Hudson’s Care recognises the lifelong impact of being separated from one’s family of origin, both for the individual and for their relatives. The Origins Service is dedicated to supporting those whose lives were affected by adoption through the society or by having lived in a Father Hudson’s Home as a child.
As a registered Adoption Support Agency, Origins provides birth record counselling to adopted people, and tracing and contacting services to adopted people and birth relatives. This service has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Those who were adopted or who lived in a Father Hudson’s Home can also access information from our records to trace their roots.
Primary Schools – Good Shepherd Appeal
From our early days, schoolchildren have helped support Father Hudson’s by collecting money during Lent, and this remains one of our most important sources of voluntary income. Today, schools across the Archdiocese help to raise funds through the annual Good Shepherd Appeal.
Our School and Parish Engagement Officers visit schools to talk to students about our work and how the money raised helps people in need. This is an excellent way of showing the children how important each donation is and how their Lenten sacrifice can help make a real difference to people’s lives.
We also provide classroom materials for primary schools based on the Catholic virtues that underpin our work with people of all faiths and none. With input and advice from the Birmingham Diocesan Education Service (BDES) and Newman University, the materials explore the biblical basis for social care work carried out across the diocese.
Walk a Mile in their Shoes is an initiative for senior schools that incorporates fundraising with education and spiritual concern for those in need. It provides an insight into our work as well as the adversities faced by the people we support.
Walk a Mile focuses on different themes over time to help raise awareness of particular issues as well as showing children and young people how their donations can help us transform people’s lives.
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Father Hudson’s Care works with community groups to develop projects and services that meet local needs.
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