Smiling Families

Charity 1183860

www.smilingfamiliescharity.co.uk

Overview

Summary

Sources:Civic AtlasAI-assisted

Smiling Families appears to occupy a distinctive role at the intersection of emotional support, practical help and memory-making for families living with serious illness or disability. Its model is rooted in lived experience and seems designed to address isolation as much as material need. Rather than centring a single clinical condition, it brings together families facing different health challenges through accessible shared experiences, individual grants and support networks, while seeking stronger links with professional advice and external organisations.

See observations

Operational geography

Sources:ONSCivic AtlasAI-assisted

Coverage: Regional

Operational areas:

    Evidence and reasoning
    Supporting evidence
    Remaining uncertainties
    • The Charity Commission currently records Birmingham City as an area where the charity operates, but the available evidence does not identify any Birmingham ward or the City Centre in which services, events, home visits or grants are delivered.
    • There is no evidence of a permanent operational site in Birmingham. The registered address is in Solihull, and the Charity Commission states that the charity does not own or lease land or property.
    • The evidence supports a mobile and dispersed delivery model, including online support, family activities, respite arrangements, grants and home-based mobile-grotto visits, but does not show how activity is distributed between Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull.
    • The official website refers to NHS-staff sessions and external partnerships, but does not name Birmingham-based partners or establish that these relationships materially extend the charity's reach within a particular Birmingham area.
    Additional evidence needed
    • Current event, group-session or outreach listings with Birmingham venues.
    • A current annual or impact report showing the locations of families supported, grants made, home visits or activities delivered.
    • Details of named delivery partners and the Birmingham locations or communities reached through those partnerships.
    • Confirmation of whether any regular Birmingham meeting venue, storage base or service hub is used, including whether it is temporary or permanent.

    Areas of work

    Source:Charity Commission
    • General Charitable Purposes

    Who they help

    Source:Charity Commission
    • Children/young People
    • Other Defined Groups
    • People With Disabilities
    • The General Public/mankind

    How they help

    Source:Charity Commission
    • Makes Grants To Individuals
    • Other Charitable Activities

    Discoveries involving this organisation

    The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.

    Observations

    Sources:Civic AtlasAI-assisted

    • Connection appears to be the core intervention

      The available evidence suggests that events, outings and wish granting are not only recreational activities: they may be a means of reducing isolation and rebuilding family connection during prolonged illness or disability.

      Why it matters

      This helps distinguish Smiling Families from a conventional grant-maker or event provider. Its likely value lies in creating belonging and respite where families may have few accessible opportunities to participate together.

      Show evidence

      • “The charity began by organising family fun days across the Midlands to create spaces where families affected by illness could relax, connect and make memories.”

        Source:Organisation

      • “The charity offers support networks that foster friendship, understanding and shared experience.”

        Source:Organisation

    • Accessibility is translated into tailored experiences

      Smiling Families appears to respond to exclusion from ordinary family experiences by bringing activities to families or redesigning them around health-related travel constraints.

      Why it matters

      This suggests a practical understanding that illness creates participation barriers, not only financial or emotional pressures. Its mobile and home-based approach may complement organisations whose support depends on families being able to attend a venue.

      Show evidence

      • “The charity provides Christmas visits through a mobile grotto for families unable to travel to Lapland or a local grotto because of a health issue.”

        Source:Organisation

      • “Future plans include mobile beach staycations for families unable to travel.”

        Source:Organisation

    • Lived experience may shape an emerging bridge to systems support

      The founders' experience and qualifications suggest the charity may be developing from peer-led mutual support toward a connector role between families and professional services.

      Why it matters

      This could make Smiling Families a useful partner for health, advice and family-support organisations, particularly where services need insight into how illness affects whole households. The extent of these partnerships is not yet evidenced.

      Show evidence

      • “The charity was founded after Kerry Martin experienced a life-threatening illness and the family found few opportunities to connect with others in similar circumstances.”

        Source:Organisation

      • “Paul Martin regularly delivers sessions to NHS staff through lived experience.”

        Source:Organisation

      • “The charity plans weekly meetings with solicitors, medical professionals, counsellors and family photographers.”

        Source:Organisation

      Remaining uncertainties

    • Which geographic areas the charity currently serves and how many families it reaches.
    • Whether support is primarily delivered by volunteers, staff or partner organisations.
    • How families are referred, selected for grants or wishes, and whether particular illnesses or circumstances are underserved.

      Additional evidence needed

    • Recent annual reports or impact data showing reach, repeat engagement, beneficiary needs and outcomes.
    • Information on referral sources, delivery partners, funding mix and the accessibility of activities for different disabilities.
    Charity Commission profile
    Source:Charity Commission

    Activities

    Providing support and friendship to families with a member affected by serious/terminal illness or disability,through activities,group sessions,financial support and wish granting. Specialising is Christmas visits to families unable to travel to Lapland or a local grotto due to their health issue,by bringing a mobile grotto to their homes.

    Charity objects

    TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF THOSE AFFECTED BY SERIOUS / TERMINAL ILLNESS THROUGH ACTIVITIES, DAYS OUT, SHORT BREAKS, RESPITE AND PRACTICAL SUPPORT AND FRIENDSHIP.