After speaking with one of the Home-Start coordinators though I soon found out what Home-Start was really about and how it supported families that were struggling to cope..

My first experience of Home-Start was walking into my local branch believing it to be a charity that helped you sort out housing problems! After speaking with one of the Home-Start coordinators though I soon found out what Home-Start was really about and how it supported families that were struggling to cope.

I ended up being supported by a volunteer myself it took me a long time to trust her. At first my reaction was that I did not want a do-gooder telling me what to do! It took 18 months for me to really start trusting my volunteer and to get the help I so desperately needed.

As I began to feel better about myself and my life I was asked to help out at the Home-Start playgroup. It was little things at first like showing a mum where to sign in and then helping with tea and coffee at the AGM.

In March 2006 Home-Start Newark ran their 33rd volunteers preparation course and I was one of their trainee vounteers. I remember being really nervous when I went to meet my first family but after a coffee and a chat, I left with mum agreeing to come on the Home-Start trip with me two days later.

I am now looking forwards, hoping to see a change in mum and helping her to find that she has a lot more confidence in herself, and has made new friends in the process- just like I did.

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