The Life House in Oxford has had a unique garden makeover thanks to the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, who opened their 100th Bright Space with Life Charity on 18 October 2024.
Staff and volunteers from Bright Horizons have worked with Life House support staff to create a thoughtfully designed, safe, and enriching Bright Space garden for families to enjoy, creating a symbol of resilience and progress.
The occasion was especially meaningful for Bright Horizons Regional Director, Mel Pease. When Mel was pregnant and experiencing homelessness 35 years ago, Life provided crucial support and a place in a Life House, which empowered her to raise her daughter and to pursue the successful career she has today.
Life are so grateful to Mel for giving back to the charity by sharing her story, to spread the message to other women that they are valued and can be supported whatever their situation, with a space in a Life House or any of the other services Life offers.
Mel said, “I’ve always wanted to have a Bright Space in my local area so when The Foundation presented the opportunity to partner with Life Charity and create a Bright Space, I was delighted. Giving back to an organisation that did so much for me is a surreal, full-circle moment.”
Life exists to support women, men and families facing unexpected pregnancy and the 20 Life Houses around the UK provide a safe, supported environment for women to step into motherhood despite the challenges of unexpected pregnancy.
The Bright Horizons Foundation works in partnership with other charities, public services, and specialist agencies to provide safe and enriching play spaces for children and families experiencing crisis and disadvantage. There are now 100 Bright Spaces across the UK, in domestic abuse refuges, police child protection suites, prison visit areas, hospices and other settings, including the Oxford Life House!
Beckie Reeves, Head of Housing Operations at Life, added, “This Bright Space will bring joy and comfort to the families we support. We are incredibly grateful to Bright Horizons for their partnership, and to Mel for helping others who find themselves in the same situation that she was in 35 years ago.”
If you or anyone you know is facing an unexpected pregnancy or is pregnant and without a safe place to live, please call our National Helpline today.
Phone: 0808 802 5433
Text: 07860077339
Email: help@lifecharity.org.uk
It’s completely free, confidential, professional and impartial; our skilled listeners and counsellors support people to explore their feelings and situation and can refer women for a home in a supported Life House if needed.
If you would like to support women like Mel, to give them and their child a strong foundation for their family’s future, please consider making a donation today. Call 01926 312272 or visit lifecharity.org.uk/donate.
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