Spurgeons expands with acquisition of counselling specialist charity

Spurgeons Children’s Charity has announced the acquisition of school counselling and parenting support charity Fegans, to increase its range of services to families and diversify its income streams.

The move follows a year of due diligence and negotiations and adds counselling for pupils to Spurgeons range of services.

Spurgeons says the move comes as children face significant challenges “particularly in the wake of lockdown”.

South east of England based Fegans has a total income of around £1m a year and has 100 employees, most of whom are part time, as well as 20 volunteers.

All members of staff will transfer to Spurgeons under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment).

Fegans, a school counselling and parenting support charity based in the South East of England, will transfer into Spurgeons Children’s Charity on 1 July 2021. #Spurgeons #Fegans #SpurgeonsFegans pic.twitter.com/KGNcgO34Ax
— Spurgeons Children's Charity (@SpurgeonsUK) June 30, 2021

“Spurgeons has been planning its long-term future for some time and we’re delighted to welcome Fegans,” said Spurgeon’s chief executive Ross Hendry.

“We share a faith-based heritage and ethos, as well as an ambition to support vulnerable children to have a home-life where they find the love, peace and safety that enables them to flourish.

“The children we seek to help often face difficulties because of their families’ circumstances that are beyond their control and too difficult to manage alone. The counselling and support that Spurgeons and Fegans bring can help children better deal with mental health challenges that might arise from these challenging circumstances.

“There are several areas where we feel it is important that Spurgeons respond to children and young people’s needs by developing accessible services to support them.

“To that end, the acquisition offers immense potential to be able to build on the work of both charities. Fegans school-based interventions and services will widen Spurgeons service base — with the aim of reaching more children to support them in their home-life — and diversify our income sources.”

Fegans chief executive Ian Soars will join the senior executive team at Spurgeons, retaining responsibility for Fegans services within the charity.

He added: “Fegans will continue to care for children but, as part of Spurgeons, our capacity to reach many more children is unparalleled. Together, we can make a greater impact on a greater need, as we sustainably grow our long-term support for these children and families.”