Make a difference: Local children’s charity recruiting volunteers

Fresh Start new beginnings, a local charity that supports children who have suffered sexual abuse, are recruiting volunteers to assist with events and fundraisers in the lead up to Christmas.

There are lots of events scheduled, from supermarket collections, bag packing and collecting while choirs are singing and lots more.  Many of the volunteers enjoy working with the charity, attending events they haven’t been to before and meeting new friends, knowing they are helping and giving back to the community.

Patsy Johnson-Cisse from Fresh Start new beginnings said “We are a positive charity helping children and their families to work towards a more positive future.  To help take away the feelings of blame, of shame and feelings of guilt. We are hoping people will come forward and volunteer, so we can raise more money, more awareness to help is help the children who need this service.”

Patsy continues “The work of the charity is difficult and challenging, but very rewarding when you know you have helped a child start to look forward, start to realise it was not their fault, start to see that they are able to rewrite their future, take control going forward”.

Chloe, a mum who has used the FSNB service said, “We did not know about the charity to start with. Both my husband and I were at our wits end.  Our doctor referred our daughter after she had been self harming and had tried to take her own life several times.  We felt helpless, we did not know where to turn.  She started off with one to one sessions then moved to group meetings where she was with other teenage girls her age.  She said to me recently that FSNB saved her live and she did not realise how bad she was.  The charity gave me back my daughter.  I really don’t know if my daughter would still be here if it wasn’t for the team at Fresh Start new beginnings.

The charity will be at the Cult Bar, Waterfront, Ipswich between 1 and 4pm on Friday 28^th September and Friday 5^th October.  If you would like more information please call Patsy on 01473 705111, visit the website or email [email protected]