AFIA Holidays
I have to start my report by thanking Dora Petty who organised the AFIA scheme until Autumn Council 2018. It is always easier to follow and build on a project when the foundations are very secure, as they were with AFIA when I took on the project at the Autumn Council last year.
So far, I have had referrals in and booked 20 holidays for families across the diocese. It is good to receive referrals from parish clergy and other agencies like Home-Start and children’s centres, health visitors, refugee families and GPs. I can send out the forms electronically, which does help our busy referrers when they reply.
Referrals with children over 5 years need holidays during school holidays and these are the expensive holidays. Hence the plea always for money to support the scheme.
The holidays are for families who need a break for various reasons. Also, if you know of any older people who might appreciate such a holiday, please get in touch for a form.
This is a very practical way for Mothers’ Union to help communities, and shows that we are listening and act on what we hear. Please support the scheme with prayer as well as financially.
I have decided to go on the Speakers’ List to talk about AFIA, as we always need funds to carry out this work.
For Autumn Council I will prepare a breakdown on the number of holidays taken and a breakdown on family composition.
As members are not always sure of how the referral system works, where the actual holidays are taken and other points of information, we will be producing a leaflet to give to members and referrers in the Autumn. I know I have mentioned funding before, but the more successful our scheme is, the more money we will need to support it.
So – thanks to all who support AFIA.
Janet Jones, AFIA Representative
