The incidence of child abuse is steadily rising. The role of the extended family is diminishing. The result is frightening isolation for many parents. The Avenue Centre exists to support families battered by the pressures of modern urban living. Most families now come to us by referral.
Several agencies make such referrals.
Health Visitors and Social Services, for example, may encounter families having difficulties and they refer these families to us. We normally would visit a family in order to explain the likely benefits of coming to The Centre, and thereafter we would maintain close contact as a family starts to come to The Centre. In the playroom children learn to play. They find space. There is a slide and there is a tricycle with room to ride it.