Senior management team

Peter Grigg - Chief Executive

Peter joined Home-Start in 2020. He is focusing on building on Home-Start's ground-breaking work, strengthening the local network and raising the profile of its vital work. Previously, Peter was Director of External Affairs at The Children’s Society leading policy, campaigns, communications and strategy for the charity.

Vivien Waterfield - Director of fundraising and communications, deputy CEO.

Vivien joined Home-Start in 1998. She has held the post of director of fundraising and communications for 11 years and was appointed deputy chief executive in 2012. Vivien is passionate about social justice, opportunity and potential. She leads the charity's new business development, external relations and service development activity. Vivien is a trustee of Curve Theatre in Leicester and lives in the city with her husband and two daughters.

Pete Thomas - Chief Operating Officer

Pete joined Home-Start UK in June 2014. Over more than 10 years in the charity sector, Pete’s passion has been to secure maximum impact for charitable resources through strong financial management and good governance. As a father of three young children Pete recognised the exceptional value offered and vital need met by Home-Start’s approach to support for families.

Pete Thomas, Home-Start UK Finance Director

Home-Start UK staff

All employees of Home-Start UK contribute to the support given to the network of local Home-Starts throughout the country and with British Forces in Germany and Cyprus. Home-Start UK provides local Home-Starts with up-to-date training for staff, volunteers and trustees; information and guidance on governance; legal and human resources advice; help with fundraising; national communications and profile-raising; lobbying of national and local government and funders; providing national quality standards; supporting community groups to set up new local Home-Starts and representing Home-Start on national fora.

Local Home-Start staff

More than 1,800 staff are employed by local Home-Starts across the country and with British Forces in the UK and Cyprus. Day-to-day operations within each local Home-Start are carried out by a small team of paid staff who recruit, train and offer ongoing support and guidance to volunteers. Last year nearly 15,000 home visiting volunteers gave their time to make a difference to a family in their community.

Latest

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Now we are all socially distancing, it can be difficult at times to adjust to life in this 'new normal'. Here are ten top tips to help support you, as a parent, during these uncertain times.
Loose Women's, Kaye Adams, reads Home-Start a story

Television star and Home-Start Glasgow North ambassador, Kaye Adams, helped brighten mornings across the UK today. Along with her favourite pet, Bea, she read The Tiger Who Came to Tea to hundreds of viewers from across the world via a Facebook live stream.
Writing activities to do with children – making books

Children love books that are personal to them. If you have more time than usual at home at the moment, have a go at one of these book ideas. Share what you make with us #AtHomeWithHomeStart
Free and easy games to play at home with children

It can be hard to always come up with new ideas to keep your child(ren) busy and happy at the best of times. Here are a few activities for simple games for pre-school children you can try together at home because childhood can’t wait.

Help us keep families connected

Coronavirus will place the greatest strain on families who are already vulnerable, including those already isolated, facing financial hardship and mental health challenges.

Home-Starts across the country are working tirelessly to stay connected with families and support them remotely when they can’t visit. They are helping families get vital food, baby goods and other supplies delivered to them during the outbreak.

But we can’t do it alone. We need your support. Read more

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