Referrers and why they are important

Referrers have always played a vital role in the way we work. They are the link between ourselves the children and families we help.

Each family we support is referred to us by someone already working with them in a supporting role, such as a teacher, health visitor, social worker or another charity like Barnardo’s.

Working with referrers in this way allows us to reach those families who will benefit most from a break. They are also best placed to judge what kind of break is going to work best.

Often families don’t think they would be able to cope with a break away from everyday support structures, but referrers help them believe that it is possible.

Referrers help them to plan and prepare for their trip. And they make sure it happens (we get very few drop outs)!

Having referrers on board means that if something goes wrong on a break there is someone available who knows the families and the challenges they face.

We couldn’t do what we do without referrers.

We currently have 5,000 referrers in 97% of local authority areas across the UK

We recently helped young Samuel and his family to get a much needed break. Read his story here.

Would you like to help more children get a  family break? Click here to make a donation or set up a regular gift.