Home-Start UK CEO visits Home-Start IW

By IW Observer.co.uk May 31, 2022

Home-Start Isle of Wight recently received a visit from Peter Grigg, CEO of Home-Start UK.

Peter was introduced to the team of trustees, staff and volunteers where they shared their experiences with the families facing difficult times on the Island. He also joined in a group session of Home-Start families, brought together in Newport, and met with Judi Griffin, patron of Home-Start IW.

Peter said: “One of the things we’ve been talking about is the gap between how many families might need our support, and how many we can provide support for. On an Island like this, I imagine that getting the volunteer numbers must be really tricky. I know you do it really well – and I know you really fight hard to hang on to people – and the volunteers I’ve spoken to testify how rewarding it all is.

“And speaking to families here who’ve been supported through struggles, and then become volunteers themselves – it’s brilliant, so powerful. You can see it come full circle, which is really rewarding. The magic of Home-Start is clearly on display on the Isle of Wight.”

Scheme manager, Alison Griffiths, said: “It was fantastic to welcome Peter and show him all that is great about Home-Start IW. We know what a difference our volunteers and staff make to the lives of Island families and we hope that the publicity around Peter’s visit will help even more people know about what we do. Times are very challenging for families and, as a result, we are seeing a big increase in requests for support. We need more wonderful volunteers so that we can be there for families when they need us most.”

You can contact Home-Start IW by emailing admin@homestartiow.org, or calling 533357. For more information visit homestartisleofwight.org.uk.