A charity set up to help vulnerable people in the city has called for new volunteers to help families in desperate need of support.
Home-Start Aberdeen began life in a box room 30 years ago but has grown into one of the UK’s largest initiatives over the years.
Back in 1987, the venture was known as Home-Start Mastrick, with 15 volunteers lending assistance to the same number of families.
Yet it has evolved to the stage where its 14-strong staff operate from a city centre base, coordinating the activities of 125 volunteers, who provide 230 families, including 360 children, with around 27,500 hours of support every year.
The majority of these people are referred by health visitors or social workers for a variety of reasons, including ill-health, disability, postnatal depression, domestic violence or substance abuse. Georgette Cobban, manager of the scheme, is proud of the progress the charity – which also has a shop on George Street – has made and said volunteers were the backbone of the organisation,
She said: “Our headquarters remained in Mastrick until 2015, when we moved into our current base at Alford Place. But these larger premises have provided us with additional training facilities, plus a family room which is invaluable.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of Home-Start Aberdeen. Without them, we simply wouldn’t exist. We now have around 125 volunteers, who are a close and vital part of the team.
“The majority are home-visiting volunteers; they call in on a family with whom they are carefully matched for two to three hours every week.
“We also have volunteers who work with families to develop practical cooking skills as part of the Recipe for Life project we run in partnership with NHS Grampian.”
Ms Cobban said the charity had been affected by the energy industry downturn and the squeeze on public service funding.
She said: “We currently have a list of families, who desperately need our support and we want to help them as soon as we can.
“Our next volunteer preparation course starts on February 1 – and we would encourage anyone who might want to get involved to contact us for an informal chat.”
For more information e-mail marketing@homestartaberdeen.org.uk
Annie’s delight at Home-Start Aberdeen success
She has transferred her skills from the classroom to the charity sector.
And former headteacher Annie Sleven has now been a home visiting volunteer with Home-Start Aberdeen for three years.
She also sits on the charity’s board of trustees, acting as the project lead for Big Hopes Big Future – a proven approach to helping parents create a positive home learning environment for their pre-school children.
Mrs Sleven said: “I first came across Home-Start Aberdeen when my friend’s husband started chatting about the charity and its work.
“As a headteacher, I was very aware of many of the issues young families are facing, so I felt that Home-Start Aberdeen was a really good fit for me as a volunteer.
“I completed the training to become a home visiting volunteer. The role has its challenging and emotional moments, but it is ultimately very satisfying to support another family during their time of need.
“I would urge anyone with a few hours to spare every week to get involved with their local community. The training and ongoing support is fantastic – it is truly a partnership between the Home-Start volunteer, coordinator and family.
“My background in education meant there was a role for me on the board and I was delighted to become the lead for the charity’s new Big Hopes Big Future project.
“Children who start primary one without the necessary skills are immediately disadvantaged and unable to access all that school has to offer – they will always be playing catch-up.
“But, through Big Hopes Big Future, our volunteers work with Aberdeen families to ensure that all children have the same opportunities when they enter primary school.”