News Release
Northern Ireland's leading family support charity celebrates its 25th anniversary with a new look and a year of celebrations
To mark Home-Start's silver anniversary Junior Ministers Ian Paisley Jnr and Gerry Kelly are expected to attend a reception in The Long Gallery, Stormont on Monday 14th January 2008.
The 14th January launch sees the start of a year of calendar events recognising the work of home visiting volunteers, committee volunteers and the difference made to families supported. Lady Christine Eames, Home-Start's Patron for Northern Ireland's anniversary year, will be taking part in many events planned to highlight the importance of supporting families. A calendar year of events is planned including a volunteers' day, family fun days, photographic competitions, a conference and participation in marathons and Lord Mayors' parades.
The first Home-Start scheme was set up in East Belfast in 1983 when 10 volunteers visited over 20 families (35 children).... and 25 years on the leading family support charity is able to make a difference to over 1500 families( 2900 children) each year.
Across Northern Ireland Home-Start has 26 schemes with more than 600 volunteers visiting families at home each week, supporting parents in situations a diverse as isolation, bereavement, multiple births, illness, disability or who are just finding parenting a struggle. Home-Start in these situations provides a unique service for families - recruiting and training volunteers to provide non-judgemental practical and emotional support and help build the family's confidence and ability to cope.
Heather Knox Director in Northern Ireland said:
'Looking back over the last 25 years it is great to know that there have been over 7000 people who have volunteered to visit young families at home - in fact it's fantastic to know that support has been given to over 15,000 families and 34,000 children in that time. The organisation, whilst celebrating its past achievements, is set to move forward -to reach further into communities which have not yet benefited from having a Home-Start scheme and to strengthen existing schemes'.
As well as celebrating its silver anniversary, Home-Start's new corporate image will be launched. The new image includes a new logo and strapline, fresh and modern colours, typefaces, photography and written style- all coming together to create a common look and feel for Home-Start publications and has been designed to reflect Home-Start's friendly, inclusive, family centred approach.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
Contact details:
Heather Knox, Director of Home-Start in Northern Ireland
Tel: 028 9046 0772
Email:hknox@home-start.org.uk
Case Study
Martina McConville a mum receiving support from Home-Start will attend the event telling MLA's about the positive difference Home-Start support has made to her family's life. 'Having a child with cardio myopathy - a rare heart condition meant I was overwhelmed with GP/other appointments at the same time as looking after both my young sons. I felt completely isolated as my husband works long hours and my own family live 30 miles away..... you could say I was sinking through having to cope on my own. I lifted the phone to Home-Start to ask for help and was put in contact with the Home-Start scheme in Lisburn Jackie, the scheme organiser came out to visit me and very quickly within a few weeks introduced me to a volunteer. My current volunteer Donna makes life that much easier visiting each week helping me with things like the dreaded shopping trip and it's great to have another parent to talk to. I look forward to the visits and I can honestly say that Donna's support has been my lifeline'.
Home-Start schemes in Northern Ireland
Antrim District
Ards, Comber & Peninsula
Armagh & Dungannon
Ballymena South
Banbridge
Blossom, Portadown
Dalriada
Carrickfergus
Causeway
Clogher
Craigavon
Down District
East Belfast
Irvinestown
Lakeland
Lisburn/Colin
Newry & Mourne
Newry Central
North Belfast
North Down
South Belfast
West Tyrone
Satellite Schemes
Armagh & Dungannon
Ballynahinch
Newcastle
Newry & Mourne- Kilkeel
