...using her PR skills to help families in Southwark

"I've been working in charity PR since I was 16 when, after leaving school early due to ill health. I started work with the Association of Young People with M.E. and for many of the five years that I spent with them I was fighting for the rights of children with this disabling illness -working to improve support for families living with M.E. and helping young people to find opportunities to overcome their physical situation and be part of a community.

"During that time I learnt a lot about the challenges that families can face in every day life and the support that we all need at some point. When I heard about Home-Start from one of my neighbours and then met the Scheme Manager Sherry I just knew that this was somewhere I wanted to work!

"I've always loved children. I'm "Auntie Emily" to my sister's daughter and to my best friend's two children. And I just love hearing about all their antics; they certainly manage to get up to a lot even at such a young age! At times I have no idea how their poor mothers cope. Being there for my friend since she had her children, sharing ideas as she faces new challenges and watching the little ones grow, is bringing so much new pleasure into my life. It shows me one of the reasons that Home-Start is the success that it is: the rewards of our work are not just seen by our families, but by our volunteers too. Due to my disability, I work entirely from home using the Internet and telephone. Our Scheme Manager and Co-ordinators are good enough to come to the house for meetings with me. Without that kind of support I would not be able to do the job and I'm so enjoying being part of such a friendly, family organisation."

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