Page 14 - report 2021

What Matters 2 You

Delivering on families needs

What Matters to You? (WM2U) started with a Our theory of change demonstrates what
compelling purpose: to help families thrive by can happen when local authorities reallocate
providing extra support, to those who need it, at investment from expensive care provision to
an earlier stage than usual. But also to give them early-intervention approaches. If this is done by
voice in the system so services fit the need… This carefully listening to families and helping them
is in response to evidence that tells us that where to support both themselves and other families
problems are not addressed early enough, they in the community then outcomes can be much
can eventually lead to a family crisis. In a family improved.
crisis, ‘interventions’ that are often made by
statutory services, such as taking young people
into care, can result in lifelong trauma for families.
WM2U supports the vision and model of early
intervention and prevention for families by listening
and responding to what matters most to them.

The Hunter Foundation and BBC Children in Need
joined forces to invest in this approach in two
localities in Scotland (the Lochee locality ward in
Dundee and Cumnock in East Ayrshire). The goal
is to test what happens when the question ‘What
Matters to you?’ is asked in communities where
there are many complex issues and where families
are likely to feel isolated, unheard and unable to
seek support. The funding was initially for three
years (2019-21) but has since been extended to
June 2024.

14