Bright Futures Children’s Trust
Supporting children and families through difficult times
Every Child Deserves a Bright Future
Bright Futures Children’s Trust helps over 3,000 children and families every year across Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton. Whether you need help with school costs, food during holidays, or just someone to talk to – we’re here. Most of our services are free or very low cost, and nobody is turned away because of money.
🎒 What We Provide
- After-school clubs (£2 per session)
- FREE holiday hunger programs
- School uniforms & essentials
- Family support workers
- Emergency food parcels
- Mental health support for kids
- Parent support groups
👨👩👧👦 Who We Support
- Families in poverty or crisis
- Single parent households
- Temporary accommodation
- Fleeing domestic violence
- Children with special needs
- Refugee & migrant families
- Anyone struggling right now
💝 Our Promise
- No judgment – ever
- Everything stays confidential
- Self-referral welcome
- No means testing
- Help when you need it
- No child goes hungry
- Respect for every family
We Support All Ages
📖 Real Story: How We Helped the Johnson Family
Sarah Johnson, a single mum with three children aged 6, 9, and 11, was living in temporary accommodation after leaving an abusive relationship. Money was extremely tight – she was on Universal Credit and couldn’t afford school uniforms, let alone the £18/day for after-school club for all three kids.
“I felt like the worst mum in the world. My kids had holes in their shoes and were wearing uniforms two sizes too small. I couldn’t afford to send them to after-school club, so they’d wait at school until I finished my 4-hour shift, then we’d go home to an empty fridge. Bright Futures changed everything. They gave us school uniforms, enrolled all three kids in after-school club for free, and their family support worker helped me apply for benefits I didn’t know existed. Within 3 months, I had a better job and we’d moved into proper housing. My kids are thriving now.”
What we provided:
- 3 complete school uniforms (value: £180)
- 12 weeks of free after-school club for 3 children (value: £432)
- Weekly food parcels for 8 weeks
- Winter coats and shoes for all 3 children
- Family support worker (12 weeks of weekly visits)
- Benefits advice that increased household income by £87/week
Outcome: Sarah found stable employment, family secured permanent housing, children back in school with confidence, crisis avoided. This is what we do every single day.
Our Services Explained
Here’s everything we offer and exactly how it works. All designed to help families through tough times.
🎨 After-School Clubs
What’s included in the £2:
- 2 hours of supervised activities (arts, crafts, sports, games)
- Healthy snack (fruit, toast, juice or milk)
- Homework help from qualified teachers
- Social skills development and making friends
- Safe, warm environment after school
Where: Birmingham Centre (123 Broad Street, B1 2EA) and Coventry Hub (45 High Street, CV1 5RF)
Ages: 5-11 years (primary school age)
Spaces: Limited to 20 children per session
How to book: Call 0121 555 7890 or email bookings@brightfutures.org.uk at least 24 hours in advance
What happens on the day:
- Children arrive at 3:30pm (we collect from some local schools – ask when booking)
- Snack time and settling in (15 mins)
- Main activity (arts, sports, or games – 60 mins)
- Free play or homework time (30 mins)
- Pick-up between 5:15-5:30pm
🌞 Holiday Hunger Program
When we run:
- Easter holidays (2 weeks)
- Summer holidays (6 weeks – our biggest program!)
- October half-term (1 week)
- Christmas holidays (2 weeks)
Daily schedule:
- 9:30am: Doors open, breakfast club (toast, cereal, fruit, juice)
- 10:00am-12:00pm: Morning activities (sports, arts, games)
- 12:00pm-1:00pm: Hot lunch (proper cooked meal – different menu each day)
- 1:00pm-3:30pm: Afternoon activities or trips
- 3:30pm: Afternoon snack and pick-up
Example activities:
- Trips to the beach, theme parks, cinema, museums
- Swimming lessons and water park visits
- Sports tournaments (football, basketball, dodgeball)
- Arts & crafts (take home what you make!)
- Cooking workshops
- Music and drama sessions
Food provided:
- Breakfast: Choice of cereal, toast, fruit, yogurt, juice
- Lunch: Hot meals (examples: spaghetti bolognese, chicken curry & rice, fish & chips, vegetable pasta)
- Snack: Fruit, biscuits, squash
- Dietary requirements catered for (halal, vegetarian, vegan, allergies)
Who can attend:
- Priority: Children who receive free school meals
- Also welcome: Referred by teachers, social workers, health visitors
- Self-referral: Yes! If your child doesn’t get free school meals but you’re struggling, call us – we’re flexible
Ages: 5-16 years
Cost: £0 – everything is completely free
How to book: Call 0121 555 7890 or book online at brightfutures.org.uk/holiday-club
Booking opens: 3 weeks before each holiday
👪 Family Support Workers
What our family support workers do:
- Weekly visits (your home, our office, or somewhere neutral like a café)
- Listen without judgment to what’s going on in your life
- Help you access benefits you’re entitled to
- Support with housing applications and issues
- Budgeting and money management advice
- Signposting to other services (food banks, debt advice, mental health support)
- Advocacy – speaking up for you when needed
- Help filling in forms and writing letters
- Parenting support if you’re struggling
- Just being someone you can talk to
How long does it last: Usually 12 weeks with weekly hour-long sessions. Can be extended if you still need support.
Real examples of what we’ve helped with:
- Helped family claim an extra £134/week in benefits they didn’t know existed
- Supported mum through PIP (disability benefit) application – successful claim
- Assisted family with bidding for council housing – secured 3-bed house after 8 weeks
- Helped dad deal with bailiffs and get debt payment plan in place
- Supported parent through child protection process with social services
Who can access: Anyone struggling. Common situations we help with:
- Single parents overwhelmed and isolated
- Families in temporary accommodation
- People fleeing domestic violence
- Parents with mental health difficulties
- Families where money is extremely tight
- First-time parents who need support
How to access:
- Self-referral: Call 0121 555 7890 or fill in online form at brightfutures.org.uk/support
- Professional referral: Via GP, health visitor, school, social worker
What happens next: We’ll call you back within 2 working days to arrange a first meeting. Your family support worker will introduce themselves, listen to your situation, and together you’ll make a plan for how we can help.
🎒 School Essentials Bank
What we provide (all free):
- School uniforms – primary and secondary (some new, some excellent quality pre-loved)
- School shoes and trainers (mostly new or nearly-new)
- PE kits (shorts, t-shirt, pumps)
- Winter coats and rain jackets
- School bags and lunch bags
- Stationery packs (pen, pencil, ruler, rubber, sharpener, glue)
Sizes available: Ages 4-18 (Reception to Year 13)
Condition: Everything is either brand new (donated by shops) or in excellent used condition (washed, repaired, good as new)
How to access:
- School referral: Ask your child’s teacher or school office to refer you
- Self-referral: Call us on 0121 555 7890 – we’ll ask a few questions but you don’t need to prove anything
Collection times:
- Birmingham Centre: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10am-2pm
- Coventry Hub: Wednesdays, 11am-3pm
What to bring: Just yourself and your child (if possible – so we can check sizes). If you know their sizes, that helps, but we can measure on the day.
Busy times:
- Late August/early September (new school year) – VERY busy
- January (new term) – busy
- Best time to come: June or July to beat the rush!
How much can you take: We usually provide:
- 2 sets of full uniform per child (so you have one to wash and one to wear)
- 1 pair of school shoes + 1 pair of trainers for PE
- 1 winter coat
- PE kit
- School bag
🆘 Emergency Food & Clothing
What we provide in emergencies:
- Emergency food parcels (3-5 days worth of food)
- Children’s clothing (if urgent need)
- Toiletries and hygiene products
- Baby essentials (nappies, formula, baby food)
When to use this service:
- Benefit payment delayed and you have no food
- Just moved into temporary accommodation with nothing
- Emergency situation (fire, flood, fleeing violence)
- Unexpected expense means no money for food
How to access: Call 0121 555 7890 and tell us it’s an emergency. We can arrange collection same day (if before 2pm) or next day.
Collection: Birmingham Centre during opening hours (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
How many times can you use it: As many times as you genuinely need. We’d also connect you with our family support worker to address the underlying issues.
Our Centres
We have three locations across the Midlands. All buildings are fully accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
📍 Birmingham Centre
Address:
123 Broad Street
Birmingham
B1 2EA
Phone: 0121 555 7890
Email: birmingham@brightfutures.org.uk
Open:
Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Services here:
- All services available
- After-school club
- Holiday programs
- Food bank
- Uniform bank
- Family support
Getting here:
- Bus: Routes 1, 22, 45, 126 stop outside
- Train: 10 min walk from Birmingham New Street
- Car: Free car park (limited spaces)
Facilities: Wheelchair accessible, disabled toilet, baby changing, waiting area with toys
📍 Coventry Hub
Address:
45 High Street
Coventry
CV1 5RF
Phone: 024 7555 6789
Email: coventry@brightfutures.org.uk
Open:
Monday-Friday: 3pm-6pm (term time)
Monday-Friday: 9am-4pm (school holidays)
Services here:
- After-school club
- Holiday programs
- Uniform bank (Wed only)
Getting here:
- Bus: Routes 8, 9, 11 stop nearby
- Parking: Street parking (pay & display)
Note: Smaller centre – call ahead for uniform bank appointments
📍 Wolverhampton Office
Address:
89 Queen Square
Wolverhampton
WV1 3BS
Phone: 01902 555 4321
Email: wolverhampton@brightfutures.org.uk
Open:
Monday: 10am-4pm
Wednesday: 10am-4pm
Friday: 10am-4pm
Services here:
- Family support (appointments only)
- Referrals to other services
Getting here:
- Bus: City centre – multiple routes
- Parking: Multi-storey nearby
Note: Small office – please call ahead to book appointment. We can arrange home visits if you can’t travel.
How to Access Our Services
It’s really straightforward. Here’s what happens:
Get in Touch
Call us on 0121 555 7890 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm), email referrals@brightfutures.org.uk, or just drop into one of our centres. You can refer yourself – no need for a GP letter or professional referral (though those are welcome too).
Tell Us What You Need
We’ll have a friendly, informal chat about your family and what kind of help would be useful. This is completely confidential. We’re here to help, not judge. Tell us as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.
Start Getting Support
We’ll get you booked in for whatever you need – after-school club, holiday program, family support worker, uniform collection, or emergency help. Most services can start within a week. Emergency help starts immediately.
Questions from Parents
❓ Do I need a referral from school or social services to use your services?
No! You can refer yourself to most of our services. Just call us on 0121 555 7890 or fill in our online form. For after-school club, holiday programs, and the uniform bank, you can book directly. For family support, we need a simple referral form – but you can complete this yourself over the phone or online. Professional referrals from schools, GPs, health visitors, or social workers are also welcome, but not required.
❓ If I use your services, will social services be told?
No. Using our services is completely confidential and is NOT reported to social services or any other agency. We only share information if we believe a child is at immediate serious risk of harm (which is very rare) – and we’d discuss this with you first. Thousands of families use our services who have no involvement with social services. Using our help doesn’t mean you’re “on their radar” or being monitored.
❓ Is there an income limit? Will you check my finances?
No income limit and no means testing. We don’t ask for bank statements, payslips, or proof of income. If you’re struggling, that’s enough. We trust you to know what your family needs. Some services (like the holiday hunger program) prioritize children on free school meals, but we’re very flexible and find space for everyone who needs it.
❓ My child has autism/ADHD/learning difficulties – can they attend your clubs?
Absolutely yes! Please tell us about your child’s needs when you book so we can make sure we support them properly. We have staff trained in special educational needs and can provide 1:1 support if needed. We’ve successfully supported children with autism, ADHD, Down’s syndrome, physical disabilities, and complex needs. Just talk to us about what would help your child thrive – we’re very experienced and will do everything we can to include them.
❓ What if I honestly can’t afford the £2 for after-school club?
Please never let money be a reason your child misses out. Speak to us confidentially when you call to book. We have a hardship fund that can cover the full cost. You don’t need to prove anything or fill in forms – your word is enough. Last year we fully funded 140 children this way. Some families pay £2, some pay £1, some pay nothing – it depends on what you can genuinely afford.
❓ Do you provide food at your clubs?
Yes! After-school club includes a healthy snack (fruit, toast, juice, etc.). Holiday programs include breakfast, hot lunch, and afternoon snack – all completely free and included. We cater for dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, halal, allergies) – just let us know when booking.
❓ Can I stay with my child at the club?
For the first session, yes – many parents stay until their child feels settled. After that, we encourage children to join in independently to build their confidence. However, if your child has additional needs, anxiety, or would really benefit from you being there, we can be flexible – just discuss it with staff.
❓ How do I know my child will be safe?
All our staff and volunteers are DBS checked (criminal record checks), trained in safeguarding, first aid qualified, and experienced working with children. We maintain strict ratios (1 adult to every 8 children for age 5-11). Buildings are secure with sign-in/sign-out procedures. We take allergies and medical needs very seriously. Your child’s safety is our absolute priority.
❓ What if my child doesn’t speak English well?
That’s fine! Many children at our clubs are learning English. Staff are experienced with EAL (English as an Additional Language) children and use visual aids, gestures, and patience. Children often pick up English quickly in our friendly, social environment. If needed, we can sometimes arrange interpreters for parent meetings.
❓ I don’t live in Birmingham, Coventry, or Wolverhampton – can you still help?
If you’re within about 15 miles of one of our centres, yes – especially for family support and the uniform bank. Some families travel a bit further for our holiday programs because they’re so comprehensive. Give us a call on 0121 555 7890 and we’ll see what we can do. Even if we can’t help directly, we can signpost you to similar services in your area.
❓ How quickly can you help in an emergency?
For emergency food parcels, we can arrange same-day collection if you call before 2pm (Birmingham Centre only). Family support workers can usually arrange a first meeting within 2-3 working days. If there’s immediate danger or crisis, call us anyway – we’ll do everything we can to help urgently or connect you with emergency services.
Ask Our Website Assistant
Got questions? Our AI assistant can answer questions about our services, costs, how to book, what’s included, and whether we can help your family. Available 24/7 – even when our office is closed.
Try asking these questions:
💬 Website Assistant Chat Widget
This is where your ChatBot1 plugin will be integrated. The assistant can answer detailed questions about Bright Futures’ services, eligibility, costs, locations, and how to access support.
Example questions it can answer:
- What services do you offer for 7-year-olds?
- Is the holiday club really free?
- What food do you provide?
- How do I book after-school club?
- Do you help with school uniforms?
- Where are you based?
- Can I get free family support?
- What if I can’t afford £2?
- Do you cater for allergies?
- What are your opening hours?
Bright Futures Children’s Trust is a fictional organization created for demonstration purposes. This page shows how children’s charities can use a Website Assistant chatbot to provide detailed, 24/7 information to families seeking support for their children.
