When Jenny Smith was diagnosed with a brain tumour, and later suffered a stroke, her boys stepped up as young carers. The family didn’t have to face this challenge alone. Community of Purpose was on hand to provide vital support at a difficult time.
Here Jenny describes how programmes like Break Free have given her children the confidence to thrive, the opportunity to shine, and the chance to ‘just be kids again’.
How did you first discover Community of Purpose?
We found out about the Break Free holiday programme from a leaflet shared with the school. Three of my four children, Sean (14), Toby (12), and Imogen (8), go together. They all absolutely love it.
There’s a lot of pressure on parents to keep kids entertained during the holidays. Before my illness we were such an active family, but I’m no longer able to drive and my mobility is getting worse. Knowing that the children are not only safe, but enjoying an action-packed programme of activities helps to keep ‘mum guilt’ at bay!
We all know what it’s like when kids go back to school after the holidays and everyone’s talking about the places they’ve been. There’s such an incredible range of day trips on offer with Break Free – from water parks and city farms, to the cinema and the panto at Christmas. I never worry about my children feeling left out or disadvantaged when other pupils are swapping holiday stories. They’ve had their very own set of adventures with the Break Free team.
What impact has Break Free had on your lives?
Having a safe, inclusive place for the kids to spend time outside the structure of school is so important. Without Break Free, the boys would probably be hanging around at home – no doubt on their phones! Now I know that there’s somewhere they can go for food, fun and friendship.
The staff are just sunshine in human form. They take the time to get to know the children on an individual level, and forge a relationship with each of them. Sean has ADHD and autism, so it’s really important that he trusts the adults at Break Free. It’s also great to see the boys spend time around positive male role models.
What other Community of Purpose programmes have you been involved in?
After getting to know the boys at Break Free, the team suggested nominating them for the Bristol Young Heroes Awards. The awards ceremony was a night to remember; the boys were announced as joint winners of the Young Carers award! It was a real acknowledgement of the help they’ve given me and their siblings since I became poorly. I couldn’t be prouder.
Sean and Toby have also flown out to France for the Bristol 2 Bordeaux football trip, and enrolled on the Purposeful Pathways mentoring programme. The boys have been really inspired by some of the speakers and business owners that have shared their own stories with the group. It’s helped them to think about the next steps on their journey.
Has Community of Purpose opened doors for your family?
It’s been unbelievable. After the winning the Young Carers award, local organisations and businesses reached out to support Sean and Toby. Even before the ceremony, the boys were suited and booted by Martin at Slater Menswear as part of their prize, which made them feel so special.
The construction firm Lancer Scott, who provide funding for the programmes run by Community of Purpose, offered Sean two days of work experience a week. This has been such a confidence boost, and has prepared him for the working world in a way I’d never thought possible at his age.
After accepting his Young Carer award, Toby discovered a passion for public-speaking. Now he takes part in public-speaking competitions and has joined the School Council. Community of Purpose helped him to find his voice.
What challenges do you think young people in Bristol face?
I think young people all over the country struggle to socialise now. Social media and phones mean that lots of them lack the confidence to hold a conversation in real life.
It’s one of the reasons I think Break Free is so beneficial. Phones are banned, so the kids get a break from screens. Instead of typing ‘LOL’ on text, they’re physically laughing together! They get a chance to enjoy being children again, away from the responsibilities and peer pressures of home and school.
Bristol can also be quite a divided city, and Community of Purpose is great at bringing together children from different backgrounds through programmes like Bristol 2 Bordeaux. It’s so important for kids to escape their ‘bubble’ of experience, and see the other pathways and options available to them. They need to know that they can aim for the stars.
How do you think Community of Purpose could continue to grow?
There are hundreds of kids that need support in Bristol and beyond. Break Free started in Knowle, but I can see it being rolled out in neighbourhoods all over the city.
Amy and the team need funding to make that happen. To anyone who’s thinking about supporting their work, my advice is: go along in person and see the effect these projects are having on young people. You won’t be disappointed.
How would you describe the effects of Community of Purpose in one sentence
Overwhelming, breathtaking, and a provider of real joy. For kids with complex needs or a lack of confidence, it’s transformative.
It instils a sense of pride in the children who attend. When the High Sheriff of Bristol came along to a camp run by Break Free last year, the message was clear: these kids are a valued part of the city. They’re not forgotten or overlooked, even if they face challenges.
For Sean, the act of going up on stage to shake the hand of an adult – like he did at the Bristol Young Heroes Awards – is something he would have struggled with a year ago. Now he’s volunteering at Break Free, supporting kids in a similar position to him. And Toby’s making speeches! It’s unlocked potential they never knew they had.
Have you been inspired by Jenny’s story? We’re always looking for partners who can help us to reach even more families in Bristol. Find out more about our programmes and how you can support us here.