Once again we would like to say a seriously big thank you to Linda Bance for her ongoing support of Home-Start. 2021 certainly didn’t let us down with its fair share of challenges, preventing us from being able to come together in ways we have done in the past. Prior to covid, Linda was a regular visitor to our Family Support Group, but this year indoor sessions have been much less possible as restrictions on the number of people getting together have come and gone. However, we were delighted that Linda agreed to join our Summer picnic in July, sharing music, dance and bringing us together with songs and instruments.
The other initiative that Linda leads is the wonderful WomenSing choir. This incredible group of women have come together every Wednesday throughout 2021 to sing songs, make music and have fun. Their voices have been heard in many places around Royston, not least through open windows in numerous houses around the local area, as well as from Linda’s back garden, when singing in person or indoors was not allowed.
The group have ‘popped up’ in Royston Market, performing a flash mob which delighted the market goers and singers alike. They serenaded shoppers at Royston Market with Christmas carols and a concert held in December treated guests to an evening of songs performed by the choir, musical solos by some members, as well as mulled wine and mince pies.
The WomenSing choir is special because it aligns so well with Home-Start. Singing together supports improved mental health, it helps people to make connections with others reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness and it is lovely to know that members of the choir include some of the staff, volunteers and families who have been linked to Home-Start. And singing in our local community helps to raise awareness of our charity, making it more accessible to those who need our support.
The WomenSing choir has certainly bought local women together, cementing friendships and developing confidence and self-esteem. Whilst singing is the main focus for the group, they have also enjoyed meeting socially together, sharing not only songs but food and good times, helping members to feel connected to each other.
This year, to date the WomenSing choir has raised a phenomenal £1,441 for Home-Start!
£1,441 could provide weekly home visiting support to a family for a year. Or it could pay for the annual cost of hall hire for one of our family support groups.
And incredibly, alongside the choir, Linda is also one of the celebrity dancers taking part in Home-Start’s ‘Strictly for Charity’ event, due to take place on the 14th May 2022. Dancers have been tasked to learn a routine with a professional partner and they will be coming together on the 14th of May to showcase their dancing skills and enjoy an evening of fun, whilst raising money for Home-Start. If you would like to sponsor Linda as one of the celebrity dancers her fundraising page is here: Linda’s ‘Strictly for Charity’ Fundraising Page
So thank you Linda and thank you to the members of WomenSing. We are so grateful for the awareness and funds that you raise for Home-Start. We are proud to be associated with a local community organisation that brings so much to its members and its supporters alike and we can’t wait to hear what wonderful events you have up your sleeves for us all to enjoy in 2022!
