Home-Start Craigavon require new volunteers to continue ‘exemplary’ family support
Featured image caption: Home-start team at launch of Annual report and fun day: Back Joe Garvey Chair, Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Kyle Savage
Following the release of their annual report and the celebration of another successful year supporting families and young children through challenging times, Home-Start are now on the look out for a vibrant new cohort of volunteers.
Based in Craigavon, Home-Start is a community network of trained volunteers and expert support. They are ‘parents supporting parents’ operating with no judgement; just compassionate, confidential help and guidance.
This week at Mount Zion house, Home-Start celebrated its success with the 45 families it has supported over the past year.
Home-Start Craigavon continues to be one of the key organisations supporting children under five years in the Lurgan, Craigavon and Portadown areas and is the only one that provides weekly support to families in their own home. It does this with a dedicated team of volunteers many of whom were at the celebration.
It was also an opportunity to launch its bright, lively and informative annual report.
Mums , children and volunteers enjoying themselves at the Home-Start fun day
The Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Kyle Savage, who was at the celebration, said: “I’m very impressed by the level of support Home-Start Craigavon provide to families with young children in their home setting. It was heartwarming to read the Annual Report and learn all about the exemplary work being carried out, which has impacted the lives of so many young children in the area.
“It is commendable that Home-Start Craigavon have been able to attract volunteers at a time when the volunteer base is diminishing, I hope that following today’s event, people will be encouraged to step forward and start their volunteering journey.”
The Manager of Home-Start Craigavon, Deborah Millar, thanked everyone for making it another successful year. Speaking at the event she said: “I am honoured to have been with Home-Start Craigavon for over 25 years. Over the time new challenges have come along for families with young children. While we have a wide range of programmes home visiting by our volunteers is still the most effective method of support. I would like to thank all the people who have given us another successful year.
“However, to be able to continue with our home visiting we need more volunteers, and I would ask if you have an interest in becoming one of our volunteers to contact us.”
Within the Annual Report, Chair Joe Garvey BEM said of their invaluable team of volunteers: “Our success, of course, relies on our great group of volunteers whose only motive is to help families with young children where some support can make all the difference. I must really thank the volunteers for all the work they do.”
To find out more information about volunteering with Home-Start contact Deborah Millar at 028 38345357 or email: homestart.craigavon@