Who we are
The Family First service was founded by the Grace Crocker Family Support Foundation which was set up in 2011 to help local families who had to leave the Island with sick children to receive medical treatment.
The foundation collaborated with the Jersey Community Partnership and along with a cluster group of 18 charities, that also support sick children in Jersey, it was agreed that the Family First service is and will be in high demand to work alongside the existing services and agencies across the island, as well as providing families with the required support they need when going through what can be a traumatic time in their lives.
The Family First service can support you with a range of issues, no matter how big or small. Our trained staff can provide a listening ear, practical advice, or direct you to other sources of support.
Our Family Liaison Manager is Cheryl Dolbel and she can be contacted on Tel: 07829 900945 or via email at cheryl@familyfirst.org.je Monday to Friday, 8.30am-4pm.
Jessica Paton is our Family Support Worker and can be contacted on 07700 700056 or via email at jessica@familyfirst.org.je
How we can help
Family first can help by contacting charities on your behalf to request financial support if required, coordinating appointments with professionals when possible, to avoid multiple appointments in an already busy time of your life, allowing you to put your family first.
Family First can liaise with services and professionals on your behalf whilst you are off island with your child. Research information on specific travel, transport and costs of accommodation etc in the UK. If the information you are looking for is not something we have, we act as a signpost to other services, professionals and resources when required.
We are here to be somebody to talk to, a friendly face and emotional support when you need it.
We aim to connect families in similar situations providing an extended support network.
The Grace Crocker Family Support Foundation and Family First working together
Testimonials
From people we have supported
"Thank you so so much for all your support this year. We cannot even begin to think how we would have navigated all this without you. We're so happy to be on the other side (for now) and have our family together for Christmas. Thank you (and the charity) for realising just how important family is and keeping us all together at such a challenging time. The service is just wonderful!"
Parent in Jersey (December 2019)
"We cannot thank you enough for all your support before and throughout our time in Southampton Hospital with our baby boy. You took so much stress out of what was already a stressful time"
Parent in Jersey (October 2019)
Thank you for all the offers of help and support. Means so much to know there are people we can talk to who understand. It can be a very lonely experience, so appreciate so much the time taken to help us.
Parent's email 2020
We can't thank you enough for the support that you have given us. We honestly don't know how we would have managed with your help.
Parent in Jersey-January 2021
"Due to Coronavirus, the world has been in chaos, so we knew that travelling would not be so easy, it made what was already a very frightening and anxious time even harder.
My husband was unable to travel with me to Southampton whilst our son had surgery, Family First arranged for another family member to come with me so I would have some support.
Parent in Jersey (January 2021)
