New project for Newmarket’s racing families

Racing Welfare is taking part in a new initiative offering support to families with young children.

The charity, which helps people who work in racing throughout their careers and into retirement, has joined Mid Suffolk Homestart, an organisation with 35 years experience of providing family support, to set up a group operating out of The Racing Centre in Fred Archer Way, Newmarket.

The Newmarket Racing Community Family Group, which has been funded by The Racing Foundation and Godolphin, will be launched on February 20 with a coffee morning at The Racing Centre between 9.30am and 12.30pm.

Rachel Cawley, communications manager for Racing Welfare, said that Homestart was already dealing with some referrals of families from a racing background.

“There is no evidence that racing families need special help, but with racing employing more and more women, who may have young families and people from abroad who may have difficulties with the language, we wanted to anticipate possible problems.”

Homestart recruits and trains volunteers, all with parenting experience, who are matched with families to provide support, friendship and practical help for an initial period of six months

They say parents may feel lonely or isolated, especially if they have no family or other support network nearby, or they may be struggling to cope with childcare or stress issues.

Following the launch, the family group for adults and children up to five years will meet every Monday from 10am to 12 noon. A Homestart family co-ordinator will operate out of The Racing Club on Mondays and Thursdays and can be contacted there.