By Mal Butler
A volunteer who has worked with the families’ charity, Home-Start IW, has received a national award in recognition of her dedication over 25 years.
Margaret Rylands has volunteered with Home-Start on the Island, supporting families in their homes since 1999, and has been a trustee for almost the same amount of time, as well as serving a term as chairman of the board of trustees.
She’s been described by parents and carers she’s helped, as: “A lifeline, a part of the family, the mum I don’t have, the grandmother to my children that they haven’t got…”
A group of around 30 Island volunteers, families and trustees gathered at Briddlesford Farm last Thursday (February 18) to watch the national ceremony broadcast on-line to Home-Start branches all around the country – and to see Margaret win the biggest award of them all, Volunteer of the Year.
She said: “I was just amazed that I made the shortlist – and I don’t know what the word is now!
“I’ve really enjoyed all the years that I’ve been at Home-Start. I’ve often felt that I get at least as much out of it as the families, if not more. It’s lovely watching children grow up with the families I’ve stayed in touch with; I hope that somewhere along the line that I’ve made a difference.”
There is a video about the work that Margaret has done over the years on the national Home-Start website which can be watched via iow.life/margaretrylands. In it she says that although she doesn’t have grandchildren herself, because of her work with Home-Start IW she feels she has lots of grandchildren “and that’s lovely”.
Alison Griffiths, Home-Start IW manager, sums up her thoughts by saying: “Every group of people needs a Margaret in it really.”
Margaret will receive a cash prize as well as a trophy and certificate.
Press Release