South Liverpool MerseyMart
A CHARITY providing support for youngsters experiencing a family bereavement or loss has opened new premises in Halewood.
Listening Ear’s ‘Butterflies’ project will be able to provide extra specialist support thanks to the move.
Children affected by divorce or parents’ separation are also included in the scheme, based at St Nicholas Centre in Church Road.
Pictured: Butterflies co-ordinator Tracy Allen cuts the red ribbon.
The project was limited to a Thursday and Friday when no adults were using their rooms, but they are now flying high with funding from the Morgan Foundation and Local Network Fund, managed by the Community Foundation for Merseyside.
Tracy Allen, Butterflies co-ordinator, officially opened the new premises and said: “The ideas for our new support rooms and building came from wanting to continue providing a special, safe environment for all children and young people to share their thoughts, worries and feelings.
“It is important to give them a setting which they can truly relax in and also feel ownership of.
“With this in mind, the children and their families and carers have created decorative artwork, a beautiful memorial banner and wall messages for everyone to see and read.
ABOVE: Children, young people and adults from the Butterflies programme celebrate with a balloon launch.
“If asked to say why I feel so strongly about the work we do, then I would have to say that to see a child laugh and smile again and actually start talking about their future is a privilege and not actually work at all.
“Every child, young person and adult really does matter to us here.”
For more information on Butterflies ring 488 6648 or visit their webpage.