Mums say family centre at risk of cutting services is a ‘lifeline’
By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter
A group of mums have said a family centre at risk of cutting services is a “lifeline” they use to keep warm and speak to other parents.
St Vincent’s Family Project in Storey’s Gate, Westminster, has been providing families with free parenting and cooking workshops as well as one-to-one support and even Citizens Advice Bureau drop-in sessions since the 1970s.
But increased costs due to spiralling inflation caused by the cost-of-living crisis have meant the centre faced the hard choice of cutting arts therapy sessions and a dads group.
Parents-of-three Aleksandra Markelova, 35, and Georgii Lesnichenko, 33, said the centre is a haven.
Aleksandra said: “We’ve been coming here almost two years. I think it’s the best thing in our life which happened because this project is very supportive.”
She added: “The centre means everything to me. I have sometimes wanted to scream and run away but then I found out about this place, which is the best for young children. Every time I come here, I feel so safe. The people are so nice and we all feel like a family.”
The family said they relied on the free parenting courses to deal with their eight-year-old daughter’s behaviour they said had become worse since moving from Russia to the UK in 2019.
Chief executive of the centre, Andrew Varley, said: “One of the things we’re hearing back from families about the cost-of-living crisis is that they tend to lose hope, they told us they didn’t know what else to do, that any kind of treats or pleasures they could provide for their children they think they can’t afford anymore.”
St Vincent’s family programmes manager, Seka Sokic, 55, said she’s met more than 3,000 families during her two-decade stint at the charity and said she’s noticing more parents struggle to afford to go out.
She said: “What’s normal for some people, like going out for a sandwich or for a coffee, they have to plan it. Anything that was an extra is now a luxury and un-doable.”
But the charity could soon see a cash boost after Westminster council announced an extra £1m for its cost-of-living fund.
Westminster council leader Adam Hug said: “We’re really worried the Government isn’t going to continue the Household Support Fund next year so we’re desperately putting pressure on the Government to give us a sign about what they’re going to do because the cost-of-living crisis is still ongoing and we know people need help right now.”
A Department for Work and Pension spokesman said: “We have invested over £2 billion in the Household Support Fund over the last two years – with almost £800million already paid to families with children to help with the cost of living.
“The current fund is available up until March 2024, as part of the wider cost of living support worth on average £3,700 per household, including raising benefits by 6.7 per cent from April and increasing the Local Housing Allowance.”
Pictured top: Aleksandra Markelova pictured with her husband Georgii Lesnichenko and son, Leo (Picture: Adrian Zorzut)
