Ormiston Families

Ormiston Families We support children, young people and their families in the East of England to see a brighter future

All our services help people to build stronger networks, learn from experience, and feel in control of their own wellbeing.

05/06/2026

"What will happen to my Dad after prison?"

After the shock of having a parent go to prison, sometimes the children we work with just want to know what will happen to them when they're released.

Here, Garry Newnes, ex-governor of HMP Chelmsford, sheds some light on the support available to prisoners designed to help them find a more positive future after release.

02/06/2026

Your cuteness overload for the day! 🦙

The children at our Play Out nursery in Ipswich were joined by some fluffy friends last week - alpacas from Hilly Ridge Alpacas!

The children learned all about Icarus, Hurricane and co before getting to pet them, give them some snacks and take them for a walk. 💚

"They were really fluffy, and they just looked really cool!"

A huge thank you to Hilly Ridge Alpacas for giving the children an experience they'll never forget. 🫶

26/05/2026

Looking for a reason to take on the London Marathon next year? 🏅

Here, Donna explains why fundraising for Ormiston Families made the big race even more special for her. 💚

If you'd like to take on this bucket list challenge while helping us change the lives of children and families in the East of England, visit our website today:
https://www.ormiston.org/events/london-marathon-2027/

20/05/2026

"Does prison help people like my Dad?"

Behind many prison sentences is a child hoping someone they love can come home better than before.

Here, Garry Newnes, ex-governor of HMP Chelmsford, explains some of the ways prisons can help prisoners return to their families as better people.

19/05/2026

A prison sentence affects more than one person.

Our Breaking Barriers service supports children and young people impacted by the imprisonment of a family member — and we’re recruiting now. 💚

Hear from Lucy about the difference this work makes every day. 👇

Apply via our website or share this with someone you think would be perfect for this role.
https://www.ormiston.org/vacancy/senior-practitioner-breaking-barriers-essex/

13/05/2026

"It was the best decision ever...going round Suffolk on the penny-farthing and raising money."

Rest Less recently spoke to Ben Clowes about his epic 250-mile penny-farthing fundraiser, which raised over £3,000 for Ormiston Families last year.

If you've got a fundraising idea in mind (no matter how wild), get in touch with our Fundraising Manager Julie Long at [email protected] to discuss how we can help you make it happen. 💚

A huge thank you to Rest Less for this brilliant footage.

Kim knows exactly why support for children and families during difficult times is so important - that's why she took on ...
12/05/2026

Kim knows exactly why support for children and families during difficult times is so important - that's why she took on the Ipswich Half Marathon last year to raise money for Ormiston Families. 💚

Kim's children lost their father to lung cancer when they were just 10 and 12.

Determined to raise money for the charitable services families like hers rely on after traumatic experiences, Kim laced up her trainers and began training for the Ipswich Half Marathon.

Here, Kim tells us why she raced - and why you should, too.

To save over 60% on admission fees by signing up to race for Ormiston Families at the Ipswich Half Marathon, visit our website today:
https://www.ormiston.org/events/ipswich-half-marathon/

A Family Day with a wild side! 🐾Children and families visiting HMP Bure recently enjoyed an unforgettable experience mee...
11/05/2026

A Family Day with a wild side! 🐾

Children and families visiting HMP Bure recently enjoyed an unforgettable experience meeting a range of exotic animals and insects, giving them the chance to interact with them and make special memories together. 💚

From furry to scaly, every creature was a hit! 🐍🕷️

07/05/2026

'What will happen when I visit a prison?'

Visiting a prison can be daunting, especially for a child.

Knowing what to expect might help them feel less worried.

Here, Louise Duxbury, Team Leader at our visitors centre at HMP Chelmsford, explains the process families go through before they can spend time with a loved one.

"Pink is the love I feel when I first see him, and blue is for the sadness when we have to say goodbye."Yellow is for ho...
06/05/2026

"Pink is the love I feel when I first see him, and blue is for the sadness when we have to say goodbye.

"Yellow is for how excited I am when he comes home, and black is for when I feel worried if I don't hear from him for a while."

Missing a parent who is in prison is a feeling most children don't know how to explain.

For Bailey, creating art with our Breaking Barriers team was the oulet he needed to express himself.

Our practitioners give children a safe space to talk, play and create art that helps them make sense of what's happened to their families.

To learn more about Breaking Barriers, visit our website:
https://www.ormiston.org/services/breaking-barriers/

Address

333 Felixstowe Road
Ipswich
IP39BU

Telephone

+441473724517

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ormiston Families posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Ormiston Families:

Shortcuts

Share

Category