The Chief Executive of the families’ charity Home-Start spent last Thursday visiting Home-Start Isle of Wight – and finding out more about the particular challenges faced here by families and volunteers.
Peter Grigg is the CEO of Home-Start UK, the national umbrella organization behind some 180 UK-wide branches of the charity.
Met families, volunteers, trustees and staff
Peter, who has been in post since January 2020 – just before the start of the pandemic – spent the trip meeting families supported by Home-Start, volunteers and the charity’s trustees and staff.
He also joined in a group session of Home-Start families brought together in Newport and met with Judi Griffin MBE, patron of Home-Start Isle of Wight.
Nationwide struggle to keep up with the increasing demand
Addressing a group, Peter spoke of the nationwide struggle to keep up with the increasing demand of families in need of help – against a backdrop of the pandemic, rising energy prices and an increase in the cost of living.
On a positive note, he did say the pandemic had brought communities together, with a renewed feeling of connection, at a time where everyone could see the ‘impact’ of volunteering.
Grigg: The magic of Home-Start is clearly on display
Peter Grigg, CEO Home-Start UK said,
“One of the things we’ve been talking about is the gap between how many families might need our support, and how many we can provide support for.
“On an island like this, I imagine that getting the volunteer numbers must be really tricky. I know you do it really well – and I know you really fight hard to hang on to people – and the volunteers I’ve spoken to testify how rewarding it all is.
“And speaking to families here who’ve been supported through struggles, and then become volunteers themselves – it’s brilliant, so powerful. You can see it come full circle, which is really rewarding. The magic of Home-Start is clearly on display on the Isle of Wight.
Rivlin: Look forward to welcoming more volunteers to our Home-Start family
Karen Rivlin, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Home-Start Isle of Wight says,
“We were thrilled to welcome Peter Grigg to the Isle of Wight, especially as due to Covid restrictions, he has only been able to visit a handful of local schemes since starting as CEO of Home-Start UK in January 2020.
“He spoke positively about national plans to extend support with ambitious targets for the number of families receiving help. We are all enthusiastic and look forward to welcoming more volunteers to our Home-Start family on the Island.”
You can donate to Home-Start or find out more about volunteering here.
News shared by Harriet on behalf of Home-Start IW. Ed
