Creative Futures (UK) Ltd
Community Families
Please support our music drop-in for families with children from 0-5. This includes the hospital collaboration to provide a unique Musical Care Pathway that nurtures and uplifts families.
Story
Community Families has grown from a weekly resident-led pilot project in Queen’s Park in 2013 to now providing 9 free and accessible family music sessions every week across north Westminster. We reach 500 families with children aged 0-4 years from this particularly disadvantaged part of London every year, and collaborate with numerous local partners including Paddington Development Trust whose Maternity Champions support some sessions, Westminster’s local Family Hubs, Westbourne Park Family Centre, and others.
North Westminster is characterised by multiple markers of deprivation (socio-economic, health and life-expectancy, children living in poverty, etc); yet it has a strong and vibrant sense of community. Creative Futures is proud to be an integral part of that community, particularly for families with pre-school children.
“Creative futures is held in such high regard” (Cllr Tim Roca, Deputy Leader Westminster City Council, Cabinet Member for Young People)
Key aims and impacts
Reducing isolation
94% of parents felt less isolated.
“Our community is quite divided. This is the one place where you meet people from different backgrounds - suddenly you recognize people and start to have conversations, and that can have a knock-on effect for the wider community.” (Mother)
Strengthening parent-child attachment (bonding)
100% said sessions enhanced bonding with their baby.
“The quality of care is at the heart of the programme’s success… where parents are welcomed from the moment they step in, and leave with a smile on their face.” (Evaluator, 2021)
Building confidence and well-being among parents and children
96% of parents said they felt more confident.
100% felt that sessions had a positive impact on their child’s wellbeing and self-confidence.
Improving many aspects of early childhood development
“I’ve seen the impact in my son. He’s turning 3 and has been singing all these songs. That’s leading his speech development as he’s quite delayed in his speech.” (Mother)
“This exceptional initiative addresses some of our society’s most fundamental challenges such as social isolation and equity. By consistently widening access to opportunities it has transformed the experience of parenting for hundreds of families improving well-being, helping parents to bond with their child, feel part of a wider community, and be empowered through information and support networks. This work has the power to radically shift life chances of children from vulnerable backgrounds as well as reduce anxiety and social isolation.” (Evaluator, 2021)
Musical Care Pathway
This unique concept began in 2022 after consultation with families and family centres identified a need for small-group sessions just for vulnerable families; and the start of a new partnership with the Perinatal Mental Health team at St Mary’s hospital. The Musical Care Pathway has 3 stages and we are delighted that some mothers have now progressed through every stage of our pathway with their child.
