The "Thriving Families" service was established in February 2013 with funding provided for an initial 30 month period by the Manx Lottery Trust, as delegated partner of the Big Lottery Fund UK.

Through recommendations from other agencies and The Children's Centre's Family Centres face to face work began with the target number of 12 families in April 2013.

From the outset the intention has been to evaluate the impact of the sevice upon the children and their families using two distinct tools, being:

- The "distance travelled" by the children and families during their time of involvment with the service

- A "Social Return on Investment" (SRoI) calculation which produces a ratio that suggests for every £1 invested £X of benefit is produced.

Through the focussed support of the staff team, the Thriving Families service equips parents and children with new knowledge, skills and tools through which they can improve their family life,tackle problems and challenges, and make changes to thier lives. It builds their confidence to be able to plan ahead, and create greater family stability , enjoyment and optimism for their futures in both an independent and intra-dependent way.

The Thriving Families service combines parenting education with family support and other carefully selected and individually targeted interventions.

The calculated benefit for year one of thriving Families is £5.51 of benefit for every £1 invested.

Lulu Gillow, Trevor Butler and Breda Craine attended the presentation, which was held in the Baroole Suite, Government Buildings on 22nd April 2014.