David Thomas, Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the Province of West Lancashire, visited the Venus Centre in Bootle to see firsthand the impact of a £60,000 grant from West Lancashire Freemasons. This funding will benefit approximately 120 families with young children facing poverty and hardship in Sefton, along with an additional 150 household members who will receive essential support thanks to the generosity of West Lancashire Freemasons towards the Venus Charity.
The £60,000 grant will support Venus Charity’s Family Navigation Worker Project, which will provide dedicated assistance to families with children aged up to five, who are struggling with poverty, mental health issues and social isolation. The project will focus on early intervention to ensure that children reach critical developmental milestones, reducing inequalities that can impact their long-term education, health and social outcomes.
The funding will make a significant difference in the lives of children and their families by providing specialised support through a Family Navigation Worker. This role will offer personalised, in-home and centre-based support to help parents understand and respond to their children’s needs. Using evidence-based programmes such as Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) and Incredible Years, the project will equip parents with the skills to foster secure attachments, manage challenging behaviours and support emotional development.
The grant will also fund community outreach work to ensure that families have access to essential resources such as healthcare, mental health services and early childhood education programmes. Additionally, weekly drop-in sessions and peer support groups will create a network of social support, helping families combat isolation and build resilience.
Throughout Sefton, many families experience persistent poverty, impacting their children’s health, well-being and future opportunities. Research shows that children from disadvantaged backgrounds often start school significantly behind their peers in key developmental areas. Without intervention, this gap can lead to long-term disadvantages in education and employment.
The Family Navigation Worker Project aims to break this cycle by offering practical, emotional and developmental support at the most critical stage of a child’s early years. The grant from West Lancashire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families, and friends across England and Wales. To learn more about the Venus Centre 
Sue Potts, CEO of The Venus Charity, said: “We’re very grateful to the West Lancashire Freemasons for their generous grant. Early childhood is a crucial period in a child’s development, and without the right support, many of the families we work with would struggle to provide their children with the best start in life. This funding will allow us to provide essential interventions, ensuring that children can reach their full potential while also equipping parents with the skills and confidence to support their child’s growth and well-being.”
David said “I am very pleased that we have been able to support Venus Charity with this important project. Young children living in poverty face significant challenges that can have lasting effects on their development. The work done by Venus Charity ensures that families receive the early assistance they need, helping children to thrive and preventing issues from escalating. This project will have a lasting impact, not only on individual families but also on the broader community.”