Different Futures
Different Futures supports parents to build safer, more stable futures.
Different Futures has been supporting parents across Warwickshire since 2017 where their children are no longer in their care.
How Different Futures can help
Having a child removed can be very painful. Many parents may feel:
- Grief and loss
- Stress or trauma
- Low mood or poor mental health
- Loneliness or isolation
- Difficulties with housing, money or relationships.
Without support, these challenges can continue. Different Futures is here to help break that cycle.
What support looks like from Different Futures
You will have a worker who:
- Listens without judgement
- Builds trust with you
- Supports you over time
- Consistency.
Support is tailored to you and may include:
- Help with housing, money and jobs
- Support to access health and wellbeing services
- Domestic abuse support
- Emotional and therapeutic support
- Advice about relationships and sexual health
- Programmes to help you understand your experiences and make changes.
Support can last for up to 3 years.
What parents say
Parents who have used the service have told us they feel:
- More confident
- Better about themselves
- More stable in their housing and finances
- More able to build positive relationships.
They often say that having a trusted, supportive person made a big difference.
“Different Futures had faith in me when I didn’t have faith in myself.”
“I’ve learned not to hate myself so much.”
“I don’t think I would be where I am today without them.”
HOPE (Hold On, Pain Eases) Boxes
Different Futures also supports the HOPE Box project across Coventry and Warwickshire.
HOPE Boxes are given to mothers who are separated from their babies at birth.
They are designed to:
- Offer comfort during a very difficult time
- Help keep memories of the baby
- Support the bond between mother and baby.
The idea was created by mothers with lived experience.