Real Life Stories
Gemma
Gemma began her Home-Start Kernow journey as a home-visiting volunteer, supporting families across Mid Cornwall. During her five and a half years as a volunteer, she also helped establish our St Austell Stay & Play groups before taking the lead in running them. Inspired by her volunteering experience, Gemma completed a degree in Integrated Working with Children and Families and is now a Family Support Co-ordinator, supporting both families and volunteers across Cornwall.
“Making connections, building relationships and being able to make a difference in a family’s life is amazing. It’s the reason I love my role at Home-Start Kernow.”
Michelle
Michelle has been part of team Home-Start for many years. After being a home-visiting volunter and assisting at local groups, she is now the Chair of our Trustee board and help to make all the important ‘behind the scenes’ decisions for Home-Start Kernow. Alongside this, Michelle volunteers for Home-Start at her local baby clinic and assists the health staff with new families.
Gemma and Phyl
We have been supporting Gemma and partner Daniel who are kept busy with their family – Chloe, 12, Megan, 10, seven-year-old twins Hollie and Maisie, Freya, aged 4 and three-year-old Harry.
Harry has complex needs; was admitted to Bristol Children’s Hospital with heart failure at two weeks old. For many weeks, he was on a life support machine. After 10 months in hospital, Harry eventually made enough recovery to return home to Cornwall, but he has a complex range of needs, including regular medication and Down’s Syndrome. Gemma said: “Harry needs my care 24-7. He’s getting better, and has less and less hospital appointments, but looking after him is challenging.”
The family were referred to Home-Start Kernow for support by their health visiting team. The family were matched with mum-of-three Phyl from Harrowbarrow. Phyl is well versed in the challenges of raising young family, having brought up three children. Her son and two daughters have now grown up and flown the nest.
Gemma said: “Phyl is lovely, she’s a great help. If I’m having a low day, I really look forward to her coming round so we can have a cup of tea and a chat. “Harry is really growing to Phyl and he’s so happy around her.” Phyl came across the opportunity to volunteer with Home-Start Kernow after reading an article about the charity in the Western Morning News.
Phyl said: “If you’ve got time, it’s something that’s very rewarding. Harry is a beautiful character and it’s so rewarding to see him grow and develop. Kids have so much to offer. “It’s more recently that we’ve started to do things. We started off just having a coffee and a chat, and helping with things like laundry- with a family of eight, there’s a lot of washing.
“I also help to take care of the younger children. It’s the little things that can help make a big difference.”
Ria
Ria has been a volunteer with Home-Start Kernow for 10 years. Alongside her busy home life she has volunteered right across the board for Home-Start.
From volunteering as a home-visitor in the West of the county, Ria supported a number of families going through difficult times, and her kindness and empathy made a huge difference to these families and boosted their confidence in their parenting abilities. Ria has also volunteered at groups across West Cornwall, from Stay and Plays to more specialised postnatal groups, and offered friendship and a listening ear to families of all different walks of life.
Most recently Ria assists at her local baby clinic. This role involves supporting the health staff at clinics, meeting and greeting families and signposting parents to available help and support – but more importantly seeing lots of new born babies, what’s not to love!
Next: Becoming a Trustee
