The latest Bright Space has opened in partnership with the Life Charity, which supports women, men and families facing unexpected pregnancy.
It is particularly pertinent to Bright Horizons’ regional director, Mel Pease, who received support from the Life Charity when she was pregnant and experiencing homelessness 35 years ago.
Pease said, ‘I’ve always wanted to have a Bright Space in my local area so when The Foundation presented the opportunity to partner with the Life Charity and create a Bright Space, I was delighted. Giving back to an organisation that did so much for me is a surreal, full-circle moment.’
Beckie Reeves, Manager at Life Oxford, added, ‘This Bright Space will bring joy and comfort to the families we support. We are incredibly grateful to Bright Horizons for their partnership, and to Mel for helping others who find themselves in the same situation that she was in 35 years ago.’
For nearly two decades, The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, a charitable arm of the Bright Horizons nursery group, has been creating Bright Spaces in domestic abuse refuges, police child protection suites, prison visit areas, and hospices across the UK.
This year, six new Bright Spaces have been opened in various locations including a police protection suite in Hertfordshire, a women’s refuge in Sefton, and a prison in Manchester.
Tracy Wilkes-Green, Bright Space manager at The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, said, ‘Going into 2025, our Foundation has ambitious plans to expand further the number of Bright Spaces we provide and bolster the offering of programs, grants, and resources available. We are always looking for more volunteers and fundraisers to help us achieve these goals and be the difference in a child’s life. If this sounds like you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.’
