Chancellor Rachel Reeves visits AllChild in Wigan

Yesterday was an exciting day for AllChild.

Below is a reflection from AllChild Chief Executive Louisa Mitchell MBE.

"Yesterday, we had the huge privilege of welcoming the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy MP, and the MP for Makerfield, Josh Simons MP, to our brilliant partner school, Westleigh Methodist Primary School. Seeing them spend the morning with fantastic AllChild children, our amazing Link Workers Dale and Tariro, and the dedicated school staff we work so closely with every day was a powerful moment for me.

From joining in a Lego Therapy session to reading the children their favourite books, I’m deeply grateful that they recognised just how important these children and their individual stories are - and the impact that deep, genuine local partnerships are already having. The Chancellor later told me just how powerful she had found it… which will come as no surprise to anyone who’s spent time with AllChild young people!

It was a particularly special visit as the Chancellor used it to announce the launch of the Better Futures Fund, a new £500m outcomes fund aimed at supporting children and families through earlier action. I hope this fund can be a catalyst for a new way of investing in children’s futures in places around the country - an opportunity for all those who are committed to coming together locally to listen to children and families and co-design solutions that break down barriers to support and opportunities so that every child and young person can flourish. It is vital that children can engage with the right support and opportunities, in the right way at the right time, rooted in their communities.Huge thank you to our partners Westleigh Methodist Primary School and Wigan Council for making yesterday a truly remarkable day."