The Wishing Tree Trust is a Charity whose aim is to help families who are at risk and in crisis – by funding a short residential experience that enables each individual within the family to rediscover their inner strengths, envisage change and be empowered to bring this about.

Since the year 2000 a programme of such ‘breaks’ has been run by Veritas Supported Breaks, working in partnership with a number of charities and organisations. The Veritas programmes demonstrate time and again that 'early preventative intervention' is a successful alternative to more expensive later involvement such as taking children into care, long term dependency on anti-depressants, or young people displaying anti-social behaviour or committing serious crimes.

The Wishing Tree Trust has been set up in order to raise funds to support these 'early preventative intervention programmes' because at the moment government funds are directed towards involvement when serious problems have already occurred. The emphasis for The Wishing Tree Trust is 'prevention'. Why wait for serious problems to emerge when symptoms are clearly visible and solutions readily available?

Children from any background are at risk from the dangers of modern society, drugs, muggings, gang fights and being attacked simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Our children need to be kept safe, healthy and given every opportunity to reach their potential.

The breaks are designed to help people to understand the links between choices and outcomes, to take responsibility for their actions, to recover self-respect as well as respect for others. By increasing social awareness and empowering individuals positive lasting transformations take place.

We do not live in isolation, we live in communities and by helping those families at risk we help all our children to stay safe and make a positive difference to all our lives.

Families targeted for help include those with experience of violence or abuse, with mental and emotional difficulties, with children 'at risk', or family members displaying anti-social behaviour. However, any family who is suffering either short-term (bereavement, divorce) or ongoing difficulties (poor health, child carer) are eligible to be helped by The Wishing Tree Trust.

Help is needed in your area; in your street; perhaps even in your family; so please help us to help you by sending a contribution to:

The Wishing Tree Trust, 3 Broomfield Hall, Enmore, Bridgwater, Somerset TA5 2DZ

Regular payments are really important to the Wishing Tree Trust as they allow us to continue our current work but also to plan for the future. If you are able to commit a small regular sum please download the standing order form below, fill it in and send it to the address above.

WTT Standing Order Form (Word Document)

For more information about how the programmes work, the benefits they bring, or to contract a break for families in your organisation, please go to www.veritassupportedbreaks.com

A copy of our leaflet is also available via the following download:

WTT Leaflet (PDF Document)

Thank you very much for taking the time to read about us. Should you require any further information please don't hesitate to get in touch.

'All our children deserve a chance'