HOME-Start Stroud District reached an important milestone this month, manager, Alex Corgier, explains: “We have now reached our thousandth family. Touching the lives of over two thousand local children since we set up in 1999. So it is a timely moment for us to welcome Nell Gifford, founder of Giffords Circus, as our new Patron to help raise our profile and support the work that we do."

Nell, together with her husband Toti, had a dream of a vintage touring circus. That dream came alive in 2000 in the formation of Giffords Circus and has grown into a well-loved family show. In 2014 Nell and Toti moved with their twins Cecil and Red to Lypiatt, making Fennells Farm both their home and the Circus headquarters. She says about becoming patron to Home-Start: “I am delighted to be involved with this excellent grass roots organisation offering an imaginative and organic solution to home support.

“The gift of time is immeasurably valuable to families coping with situations as diverse as isolation, bereavement, multiple births, illness, disability or those who are just finding parenting a struggle.

There is no rulebook for raising a family and sometimes it can seem overwhelming, particularly if your family is going through difficult times. But if you can find the support you need when you need it, then day-to-day family life can be so much brighter.”

Home-Start offers non-judgemental practical and emotional support.

A mum supported by Home-Start expressed her gratitude by writing a letter to her volunteer when support came to an end saying “You have been there when I wasn’t in the best of places. But now I am positive, more confident and excited for the future. I don’t know what I would have done without your support and friendship. You have helped me grow up from someone nervous to go out and put myself into new situations with new people to someone who looks forward to this.”

Volunteers find supporting families beneficial too, whether it’s through putting personal experience or professional skills to use, or the simple ‘feel-good factor’ they get from helping others.

One parent said “I Hope to become a Home-Start volunteer in the future to help other families in need like I was and give something back.”

They currently have over sixty active volunteers visiting families in their own homes.

All local people and all people who know how hard being a parent can be.

Parents were asked: “In what ways do you feel that Home-Start support has made a difference to you and your family?”

One mum said that Home-Start “helped me understand that parenting is hard work and you just have to do your best” and “gave me small opportunities to take time out to think, focus, prioritise and re-motivate.”

Alex Corgier adds: “I believe Home-Start is a huge asset to the District of Stroud, supported by many local organisations and individuals, it’s brilliant that we have reached our 1,000th family and have the wonderful Nell Gifford as our new Patron! If anyone would like to become involved in the charity please contact the office. Our next training course for home visiting volunteers will start in January.”