At their January speaker meeting, Kidderminster Soroptimists heard from Home-Start Co-ordinator, Claire Howard, on the valuable work this charity does providing support and friendship to families in Wyre Forest. A team of 90 volunteers have been welcomed into 178 families over the past year giving much needed support to 349 children. The service has been operating in the local area for the past 17 years and is linked to those in Malvern, Redditch and Worcester.

Members were delighted to hear that their most recent donations had provided funding for a day out at the beach at Weston-Super-Mere in the summer and a Santa Safari at Christmas. Both outings had two coaches full of families who may not otherwise have the opportunity for such experiences.

The service is provided free to parents with one child under 5 years who need help, friendship or support from a volunteer who is or has been a parent themselves. They visit once a week at the family home for a period of about 9-12 months. For Claire, the key to it being a successful service is that the volunteers are non-judgmental and provide whatever support the family needs and she considers that the perfect ending is when the family says they don't need their volunteer anymore.

Home-Start runs more services and has more volunteers supporting more families than any other family support charity in the UK. Locally, it is currently campaigning for more families and volunteers - they are keen to get more male volunteers. More details can be found on their website www.home-start.org.uk.

For more information about the activities and membership of Kidderminster Soroptimists, please email to kidderminstersorop@gmail.com or look at our website link on http://sigbi.org