Four family and child-focused projects in Birkenhead have secured a total of £110,000 from a fund backed by Redrow tycoon Steve Morgan. Tony McDonough reports

Four projects set up to “help children thrive” in Birkenhead are sharing a £110,000 funding pot.

Standing Together, Diversity+, Builder Book and POD FUN Birkenhead have all won cash support from Cradle to Career’s Service Collaboration Fund. Cradle to Career a is a multi-million pound initiative launched to transform young lives in north Birkenhead.

It is a collective impact programme managed by the national charity, Right to Succeed. The fund is supported by donations of almost £3m over three years by Redrow tycoon Steve Morgan, the Steve Morgan Foundation, and SHINE.

It is the latest initiative as part of Cradle to Career’s long-term strategy to boost opportunities for children, young people, families and older residents. A condition of the Service Collaboration Fund was that local organisations work collectively to deliver the project.

Steve Morgan said: “We are proud to support this project and to have made a long-term commitment to the community of north Birkenhead. I grew up in Merseyside, and want every child to have the support they need to achieve their dreams.” 

“One of the successful projects, Diversity+, aims to ensure that every family living in the North End of the town with children with additional needs has a support network they can turn to.”

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Diversity+, will provide emotional and wellbeing support for children and families with SEND (special educational needs and disability). It will deliver this through commissioned home visits, sensory-based play sessions, coffee mornings, coaching sessions, sleep support and a 0-19 group to support mothers.

Standing Together will provide schools and families with the opportunities to learn about and engage themes of discrimination, anti-racism, and the celebration of different cultures.

Builder Book aims to improve mental fitness, literacy and social interaction in children and families via creativity and storytelling.

The POD FUN project aims to provide access to peer-led wellbeing services that meet the needs of families with children and young people living with SEND.

Rekha Patel-Harrison, programme director, Cradle to Career, added: “The Service Collaboration Fund encourages local community organisations and services to work together. 

“All four of the successful projects were approved by a panel of local residents and professionals because they address a service gap in the area.”