Right now, there are families in Cheshire West and Chester where the pressures are quietly building. A child who keeps missing school. Bedtimes that have become a nightly battle. Bills left unopened in the kitchen. On their own, each can feel manageable. Together, they can tip a family into crisis.
Cheshire Community Foundation has set out to grow its Thriving Families fund to £1.2 million. £700,000 has already been awarded and Cheshire West and Chester Council is contributing a further £200,000. That takes the total to £900,000. The final £300,000 needs to come from local businesses, donors and the wider community by 30 November.
Early help that works
Thriving Families steps in early, working alongside parents before difficulties become a crisis. The fund supports two trusted local partners: Koala North West in Chester and Ellesmere Port and Home-Start in Winsford and Northwich. They help families build routines, confidence and resilience at home. They bring in the expertise each family needs, building trust and introducing hope for a calmer home.
The results speak for themselves. More than nine in ten families who take part move away from needing statutory services.
Across the borough, 24% of children aged 0 to 15 live in relative poverty. One in five pupils was persistently absent from school in 2022/23. Every week a family waits for help, those pressures keep building, and the later support arrives the harder it is to turn things around.
Why it matters to local business
The families this programme supports are our neighbours, customers and colleagues. When a household is under pressure, it is felt at work too, through time off, stress and worry about what is happening at home. Helping families early builds a stronger local workforce and a stronger local economy, now and for the next generation.
Early help also makes good sense. Once a family reaches crisis point, support tends to be longer, more complex and more costly. Investing early means each pound goes further.
Giving through Cheshire Community Foundation is simple and secure. We know the local charity sector well, carry out due diligence on every grant and report back on the difference your money makes. Businesses including Bentley, Radius and Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet already trust us to manage their community giving.
How your business can help
Every business can play a part, whatever its size. Here are some of the ways you can get involved before 30 November:
· Make a business donation. A one-off gift of any size goes straight to the Thriving Families fund. You can donate online or contact us to arrange a bank transfer.
· Give regularly. A monthly gift helps families long after the appeal closes. Giving can start from as little as £5 a month.
· Rally your team. Hold a dress-down day, bake sale, sponsored challenge or quiz night and donate what you raise. You could also choose to match the amount your staff raise.
· Give a share of your sales. Pledge a percentage of sales from a product, service or trading day to the appeal.
· Make a larger commitment. For businesses looking to make a significant gift, we can talk about recognition and impact reporting tailored to you.
UK companies can usually deduct charitable donations from their taxable profits when working out Corporation Tax. Your accountant can advise on how this applies to your business.
Help us reach £1.2 million
With a matter of weeks to go, every gift brings families closer to the help they need. Please consider what your business could give and share this appeal with your network.
Donate online: cheshirecommunityfoundation.org.uk/give/thriving-families
Talk to us about business giving: email office@cheshirecommunityfoundation.org.uk or call 01606 330607.
Cheshire Community Foundation is a registered charity (no. 1143711) that connects people and businesses who care about Cheshire with the local causes that need them most.
