In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hertfordshire Community Foundation (HCF) has created an emergency relief fund. Aimed at helping small charities and community groups in Hertfordshire, they are focused primarily on those that support vulnerable people across the county who are most affected by the outbreak.
We are delighted to share that last month, Home-Start was selected as one of the beneficiaries of this emergency fund.
It’s an amazing boost to our donations, and we would like to say a huge “thank you” to HCF* for helping us towards our goal of continuing to deliver our services to those families in need.
Our Scheme Manager, Sarah commented:
“Many parents have been feeling as though they are failing due to placing high expectations on themselves about what they ‘should’ be doing every day. Volunteers have been able to reassure parents and support them to accept what they can and can’t do in such an unusual situation and also to help parents to focus on how to care for and be kind to themselves, and the importance of protecting their own mental health.”
Our highly trained volunteers support families through telephone and video calling. Families who are finding life a struggle can get confidential, compassionate help and advice to help them through the crisis. For a family who is feeling isolated and under pressure during the lockdown, this can be a real lifeline.
Our Volunteer Co-ordinator Jackie says:
“Knowing they are going to be talking to their volunteer helps them get through the week.”
Keeping families connected during the lockdown, and beyond, is an area we are primarily focused on. Donations like this help go towards us maintaining the vital work of our volunteers, who provide one-to-one support to families in Royston, Buntingford and the surrounding villages.
If you would like to help Home-Start in any way, take a look at our “What can I do to help?” page. Any contribution you make will be a big help to the families we support.
* The HCF works across Hertfordshire to bring communities together, through charitable giving, philanthropy, and volunteering or other types of time donation. To find out more about the HCF click here.