Family First is a Christian charity which has been based in Ipswich since 2013. The Charity is led by Trustees and a Management Team who possess a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience working in the public, private and voluntary sector.
We currently only work in Ipswich and the immediate surrounding area including the following postcodes; IP1, IP2, IP3, IP4, IP5. Referrals from outside these post code areas will be considered on a case by case basis.
Our aim is for parents and carers to increase their confidence, social support networks and mental wellbeing.
Our vision is to see families that are resilient, thriving, and happy.
Family First is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Liz Harsant: Patron
Liz brings to the committee considerable professional experience and valuable links with a number of organisations. She is the current Chairman of Suffolk County Council and a Suffolk County Councilor representing the Gainsborough Division. She is patron of the Charity Talitha Koum and has a number of other trusteeships and leadership positions in local organisations. With her council role, she has helped support many families and dealt with domestic and financial situations for residents. Liz will bring expertise, time and invaluable links to Family First.
Sarah Stapleton: Service Lead
Sarah’s background is in Family Support with Suffolk County Council. She has in depth experience with volunteers as a trainer, volunteer lead and as a volunteer herself. She started her involvement with Family First as a Family Volunteer. She has a wide range of qualifications including: Working With Families With Complex Needs, Domestic Abuse and Mental Health First Aid.
Kristie Frost: Family Coordinator
Kristie is a qualified Youth Worker who has a background working with families at Suffolk County Council in the Children’s Centre, Lighthouse Women’s Aid and Autism and ADHD. She is passionate about supporting individuals who are neurodivergent and promoting acceptance and inclusion.
Avril Askew: Family Coordinator
Avril has had a varied career as a Mental Health Nurse with experience in the elderly with high level mental health needs, adults with Complex and enduring Mental Health conditions and adults with developmental disabilities. She has also worked as an NVQ assessor in Health and Social Care and has a particular interest in health education – especially the role good nutrition plays in positive health outcomes.
Sarah Hill: Family Worker
Avril has had a varied career as a Mental Health Nurse with experience in the elderly with high level mental health needs, adults with Complex and enduring Mental Health conditions and adults with developmental disabilities . She has also worked as an NVQ assessor in Health and Social Care and has a particular interest in health education – especially the role good nutrition plays in positive health outcomes.
Helen Clarke: Family Worker
Helen is a qualified teacher and has worked with children and young people of all ages in schools and churches. In her most recent role in a school, she qualified as a Nurture Practitioner. Helen has experience in supporting emotional wellbeing using a range of techniques.
She has a particular interest in how attachment theory can help repair and deepen family relationships.
Mel Smith Family Worker
Mel has a background in the EYFS and primary education with years of experience as a teaching assistant, providing support to children with SEN. She is passionate about early interventions and has a heart for supporting families in creating a positive home environment and positive wellbeing.
Jacqueline Chalmers: Family Worker
Jacque is a qualified social worker with varied experience in working both as a frontline social worker and management levels. Areas of practice varied from working with Adults, Carers, Learning Disabilities and Mental Health services. Jacque is also a qualified Best Interest Assessor and has a passion for advocacy which ensure every voice is heard and supported.
The Trustees
Chair of Trustees: Dot Cordle
She has a clinical background in Nursing and Health Visiting, with extensive experience in clinical, operational and management of Children and Family Services within the NHS. Her career culminated in Head of these services across Suffolk. Following her retirement Dot has been involved with several charities including Family First
Trustee: Jan Baker
Jan has been part of the Organisation since it began in 2013. She has a professional background in nursing with over 35 years of experience working both in the community and until retirement, as a Diabetes Specialist Nurse in North East Essex.
Trustee: David Samson
David Sansom is both Trustee and Safeguarding Lead for Family First. Having worked for over 20 years in the private and public sector for Connexions and Children’s Services he brings a wealth of experience supporting teenagers and families and ensuring safe practice
Trustee: Dan Somers
Dan runs an established marketing company but also has a passion for helping people to find a way out of addictions, money or mental health issues. Daniel is an avid campaigner for improving mental health by working with charities, businesses and individuals. Dan has recently started a mental health charity called MANUP? Dan’s leading company helps look after this website voluntarily.
Trustee: Sajani George
Sajani has been involved in the field of education for over 15 years and is passionate about development of a child. She is involved in employing a holistic approach and supports mental wellbeing programs in her setting.
Trustee: Mark Crawley
Mark recently retired from Suffolk County Council where he led a team responsible for commissioning a variety of services for adults. Previously Mark was Director of Commissioning in an NHS Trust. He has over 30 years’ experience working in the public and charitable sector, much of it a senior level and brings a wealth of experience of developing and improving services for people with a wide range of health and care needs.
