Chat show host Trisha Goddard has flown back from her home in the USA to present awards for long service and for going ‘above and beyond’ to volunteers with Home-Start Norwich.

Trisha helped to found Home-Start in Norwich in 2000 after suffering a mental breakdown following the birth of her second child. She has been patron of Home-Start Norwich ever since.

She thanked the volunteers who support families with young children in Norwich who are facing a wide range of challenges, and emphasised just what a difference they could make to families lives.

Trisha presented awards to eight volunteers, including Sue Tempest who received recognition for her 16 years’ service to Home-Start Norwich.

Alison Thomas, Angie Fisher, Carol Jordan, Lyn Catchpole, John Reddington, Mandy Urch and Maria Cristelle all received an award for the outstanding support they have given to families during the year.

Geraldine Duffy, chair of Home-Start Norwich, thanked the volunteers and staff team without whom the charity could not operate, and who have provided support to 146 families during the year. The Lord Mayor, Marion Maxwell, also attended the event along with volunteers, friends, and representatives from various funders and referrers.

Local Home-Starts like Home-Start Norwich are always looking for new volunteers who have parenting experience to help support families in their local area.

To find out the location of your nearest Home-Start, and to contact them about their volunteering opportunities, click here to see our map.