"We just clicked when she started coming over and have really bonded. At the start if I saw someone I knew I would introduce her as a volunteer but now I introduce her as my friend."

Katrina was a single mum of two children, both under the age of two. There were times when she felt very low and without self confidence, so much so, that she spent days alone in her home with just her son and daughter and her mum for support.

A year later and Katrina has a new found confidence, she has a job, is taking an online computer course and has started driving lessons too. Katrina says that there is one person to thank for this massive change of outlook on life and that is her Home-Start volunteer, Jacqui.

Katrina had found out about Home-Start through her health visitor and decided to get in contact. Katrina said: "I knew it was affecting my children to see me so unhappy and I have seen such a huge difference in them since Jaqui has come along. She is wonderful and the kids love her to bits. My son runs to the door when he knows she is there."

Katrina was the first family that Jacqui was matched to as a Home-Start volunteer and she says that she has got a lot out of the experience too. Jacqui said: "There will come a time when Katrina will no longer need my help but I know that I will keep in touch because of the bond that we have. The change that I have seen in her is amazing and she should be very proud of herself."

Back to Top