Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society

Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society (bccs) is a registered charity providing the services of professional social workers and counsellors to support children and young people and their families throughout Essex and east London. Our concern is the emotional health and well-being of children, young people and their families with the main focus of our work being early intervention.

bccs has an experienced team of social workers and counsellors working with the child or young person in the school setting, or with the child and family in our counselling suites in Rayleigh.

We work closely with our partner schools sharing relevant information in the best interests of the children and young people we see.  We are available for consultation and supervision as well as to deliver training workshops to staff, parents and children in the school setting.  bccs provides a professional response for children and young people of all faiths and none, and are committed to working with the young person for as long as it takes.

We use volunteers to help us with administrative tasks in the office, especially three times per year when we come to send out our newsletter mailing.  These volunteers are welcome to give as much time or as little as they like for an hour or two a week or as and when is needed. They do not need any special training or certificates – only enthusiasm is required!

We also use the services of volunteers who are ambassadors for us in parishes throughout the diocese, selling raffle tickets, putting on events, talking about the work we do or selling our Christmas cards.

Our longest serving volunteer is Ferdi who has been volunteering one day a week for over 20 years!

He has become a member of the team and a regular face at our fundraising events too:

“I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of bccs, a wonderful caring charity which has helped thousands of children and families for over 30 years.”

Linda has been volunteering with us for five years and says:

“My mum was a supporter of bccs, so I already knew about the charity when I started volunteering.  The office staff have always made us welcome and are very appreciative of the time and effort we give them.  But it works two ways; I am glad to be of help and have met some lovely people in the process.  I now also rally some family and friends to support the Ladies’ Christmas and Ascot Lunches, so helping bccs while also having a lovely time!”

Alison found herself picking up the phone to volunteer her services after seeing a request for help in her parish newsletter:

“I have always admired the work bccs does in our diocese to support children who experience emotional difficulties. Over the time I have volunteered at bccs I have helped sending out the newsletter, posting orders of Christmas cards and many other office admin jobs. I have now become a Trustee of bccs and I am proud and thoroughly enjoy fundraising and assisting the team organise events to help fund their valuable work.”

Mary and Marie both joined us after being made redundant and help with labelling and filling envelopes for our supporters three times a year:

“The newsletter labelling and ‘stuffing’ suits me as it’s not every week therefore I am able to assist when required but still have free time.” — Mary

“I enjoy being a volunteer knowing I am helping out, even if it is in just a small way.  I also like to have contact with other people and having a chat with the staff and other volunteers.” — Marie

Margaret just joined us last year and was introduced to the society by Marie. She came along to one of our lunches and as she says,

“enjoyed the event so much and met some lovely ladies, I felt that this was the charity I wanted to be involved with.”