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Home-Start MK News: Archive

2010

Home-Start Celebrated the Work of Its Volunteers

In conjunction with National Volunteer Week (1-7 June) Home-Start held an event to celebrate the commitment and dedication of its wonderful volunteers on the evening of Wednesday 19 May.   Approximately 40 volunteers, staff, referrers and funders enjoyed refreshments and the late evening sun on the decking at the Marle Inn in Milton Keynes.  Thanks was given for volunteers' length of service with the longest length of service being 11 years.

" Home-Start is an organisation that makes you feel rewarded for giving service to people because you see the difference you make to people's lives every time you visit them, and that inspires you to continue with your servic e." (Comment from a volunteer)

To see more comments from volunteers and referrers click here .

Did you see us at the Volunteers' Fair?

We participated in the Volunteer Centre's Volunteers' Fair on 8 June 2010 and manned a stand at this event in Middleton Hall in The Centre CMK.  We spoke to many potential volunteers and also to people interested in learning a bit more about what we do.  If you missed us, please do not hesitate to contact us.  We would love to hear from you.

Funding Obtained to Secure Ongoing Success of Three Home-Start Family Groups in

Milton Keynes

We were delighted that in April 2010 two funding bids were successful and we secured £15,000 over two years from Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales, and an additional £2,000 one year's funding from Guinness Midsummer.  This funding contributes towards the salary costs of one of our Family Group Coordinators who runs three family groups in Bletchley, Netherfield and Fullers Slade.  To read the full press release click here. 

We continue to submit bids in order to secure additional funding for the remaining £56,500 that is needed for this post over the next three years.  If you can help, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Staff and Volunteers Receive Debt Training Funded by The MSE Charity

Twelve staff and volunteers received training at the end of February on Debt Management and Basic Money Management Skills delivered by the Consumer Credit Counselling Service.  The full cost of this training was funded by a grant received from The MSE Charity (Money Saving Expert.com Charity Fund). 

The skills imparted on this training are enabling staff and volunteers to assist families who are experiencing problems with debt.

£15,000 Grant Received to Help Recession-Hit Families in Milton Keynes

The scheme was extremely pleased to be the recipient of two generous awards totalling £15,000 that enhanced its existing support to families hit by the recession. 

A £10,000 grant has been received from the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and £5,000 received from Milton Keynes Community Foundation.  To read more, click here.

Home-Start participated in the MKCVO Community Ticketing Offer!

We were delighted to be involved in the MKCVO Community Ticketing Offer.  For the discounted price of £5 for Adults and £2 for Children (15 & under) supporters enjoyed a Dons game from a selected number of matches. 

Donation from Milton Keynes City Community Choir

We are extremely grateful to Milton Keynes City Community Choir and to everyone who purchased tickets for their Christmas Carol Concert held in December 2009.  We received the very generous donation of £552.00.

Praise Indeed for Home-Start!

Maria Miller MP, shadow minister for family welfare said, "I can't praise highly enough the work of Home-Start and Parentline Plus, who have paved the way in the work they do” . She was speaking at a fringe event to raise awareness of the effectiveness of volunteers in supporting families, at the 2009 Conservative Party conference.  To read more check out Home-Start UK's informative website.

Chief Executive of Home-Start UK in New Year's Honours List

Kay Bews, Chief Executive of Home-Start UK, has been appointed OBE in the 2010 New Year's honours list for services to children and families.  Click here to read more.

2009

Families Enjoy a Fun Packed Christmas Party

Food, entertainment and festive fun was in abundance for the 45 families who attended the annual Home-Start Christmas Party this year.  Father Christmas, assisted by the cheerful Funkey Fairy delivered over 80 presents to children supported by the scheme.  Staff and volunteers entered into the Christmas spirit with enthusiasm and a great time was had by all.

BIG LOTTERY FUND project started!

The Big Lottery Fund have continued to fund a major part of our work: we are delighted that the Reaching Communities project will run for five years from 1st April 2009 - Judith, our Co-ordinator funded by this project, is very pleased that the Big Lottery have recognised her work with families and volunteers over the last three years: the aim is to support up to 185 families over five years.

Thank you for supporting us!

We are overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of the shoppers in Bletchley on 14 December during our collection outside Sainsburys organised by the Rotary Club of Bletchley.   We are pleased to announce that we collected over £174.  Thank you

We enjoyed a seasonal evening of music and helped to raise money for Home-Start!

We were delighted that the Milton Keynes City Community Choir supported Home-Start Milton Keynes and Willen Hospice with the proceeds of their ' Christmas Celebration '.  

This event certainly got us in the mood for the Christmas season on Sunday 13 December 2009 St James Church, New Bradwell.

Review of AGM held Wednesday 14th October 2009

Our AGM was well attended and the scheme was congratulated by the board for dealing with a significant increase in demand.  Last year (March 08-April 09) the scheme supported 136 families.  Between April 09 and September 09 the scheme has already supported 122 families with 248 children.  

Guest speaker, Lisa Gupter, Educational Psycholigist and yoga teacher spoke on 'Lets Chill' an easy to use and fun CD programme which teaches young children how to relax and calm down.  Lisa demonstrated the positive effects of her short ten minute relaxation sessions to the attendees.

1,000 family celebration!

On 25th August 2009 we held an event at one of our family support groups to celebrate supporting over 1,000 families since 1996.  The party had a beach theme with activities for the children including an under-the-sea collage, magnetic fishing, making sandcastle flags and fishy-themed play-doh and sand pit play.  One of our volunteers made a wonderful seaside themed cake which certainly went down a treat with all the families, volunteers and staff involved.

Summer Fun for Families!

During the 7 weeks of the 2009 summer holidays we felt in was important to maintain the support offered to our families (both for those who attend a family group and those who have a home-visiting volunteer) and ran 16 sessions at the Sure Start Children's Centres which were aimed at children of all ages. 

These summer sessions were a great success and 38 families and 73 children attended and enjoyed craft activities, outdoor play and singing sessions. 

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