A Volunteer’s Story - Hilary Palmer Treasurer’s Report and Summary Statement In 2011 I retired as a children’s physiotherapist and the 2016 – 17 was a difficult year as we had forecasted a declining income following year I saw a notice about Home-Start which particularly from Grants, Donations and Fund Raising and we had to take difficult set me on the path to investigate further, hoping to decisions regarding staff levels and there were costs due to redundancies. use the skills I learnt while employed. I trained as However we were then able to report that we were successful with a Grant a Volunteer in the autumn 2012 and started with a Application to BBC Children in Need for three year funding for three part-time family, the first of 10 so far! co-ordinators plus monies for our Family Events, and the first payment was Although the families are the principal aspect of received in March 2017. Home-Start work, the scheme would not succeed With more confidence regarding our income, we were then able to look to without the fantastic support and encouragement restore staff levels which took time to recruit the right candidates. By the of all the Home-Start staff. The Coordinators are always beginning of March 2018 we were back to full strength and our salary costs for on hand for advice and offer both individual and group supervision 2017-18 were therefore lower than originally predicted. together with sessions on specific topics, ranging from autism to bereavement, these all help to increase confidence, bounce ideas around and There was other good news on the income side. Through links we were Home-Start Epsom, Ewell & Banstead share problems so that you can take what you want for your family’s needs. nominated as one of three Beneficiaries of two fund-raising events – a Mid- Summer Concert held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Tadworth, and a I have had an enormous range of families with children from a few weeks old Annual Review for year ending 31st March 2018 Charity Day at Reigate Heath Golf Club. These donations produced £5,900. to 2 years old. I have stayed with a family as little as 9 months to 3 years, and the majority of my families have a child with complex medical needs. I There were other private and Company donations – noted in our full report and become a welcome visitor to their homes, an extra pair of hands or a listening many thanks to all. Plus of course the ‘People’ Hours – Trustees, Staff, Volunteers ear. Some parents wanted to use the time to discuss their particular situation, and others who gave their time. others preferred to catch up on chores or have a long shower. Sometimes a At March 2018 reserves are £72,149 – a healthy increase but the BBC Children parent asks for an extra adult to visit a toddler group, go swimming or visit in Need current Grant is for three years from March 2017, and then there is the GP for booster jabs. Unlike other adults they have encountered I do not go uncertainty going forward regarding funding from Surrey Children’s Services – in with a specific agenda e.g. a specialist nurse, however I do feel it has been how long, how much, and for what service ‘required’. an advantage that I totally understand their medical conditions and am familiar with machines and medication used so parents can discuss these without long explanations. For the families I have supported this has given them confidence 2017-18 Financial Summary This year Last year – one parent of a 2 year old with Cerebral Palsy said “you are the only other (2017–2018) (2016–2017) person I trust to feed her”. I have been able to use my skills learnt while £ £ working but you don’t have to be an expert in a specific field to help – being a Voluntary Income parent and providing a listening ear is often all that is needed. Donations and grants 48,713 29,089 Every Home-Start volunteer begins their time unsure that their presence will be of value to a family but the rewards are there, when you leave knowing that Fundraising activities 9,621 9,895 ‘your’ family no longer needs you and can see a positive future. Council Funding 49,507 43,808 Thanks to our volunteers… Bank Interest 140 258 Anne B, Ann B, Beverley R, “It has given me strength Carmel D, Carole J, Caroline B, when I needed it. Helped Total Income 107,981 83,050 Catherine C, Cathryn B, Christine B, to complete day to day Debbie N, Denise S, Donna D, Staff & Volunteers costs 51,946 70,758 Dorothy M, Gill W, Hilary P, Janet C, tasks and a companion Office costs including rent & rates 22,561 20,986 that will always be my Jean L, Joan S, Linda S, Louise P, Family Events 1,884 2,649 Margaret S, Mary C, Nishma A, friend in my heart.” Pamela W, Ros B, Rosalyn H, Sarah F, Sarah M, Susan D, Susie H, Tricia H, Quote from family who Total costs 76,391 94,393 Victoria C, Tanya L, Rebecca R, received support Surplus / Deficit 31,590 –11,343 Lynette W Funds B/F 40,559 51,902 Funds C/F 72,149 40,559 Thank You – 2017-2018 Contributors Geoff Kitchen, Treasurer “200” Club entrants and winners Jean & Colin Sutherland Aberdour School No 12 Restaurant, Kingswood Alligator Pear Gift Shop, Tadworth Malden Golf Club If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, helping with fund- Asda, Burgh Heath Mary Preston Holiday Project AON Hewitt Ltd Pfizer and their staff raising or would like to make a donation, please visit our website Ashtead Flower Arrangement Group Reigate & Banstead Borough Council to find out more: BBC Children in Need Spaghetti Tree Restaurant, Walton www.hseeb.org Banstead Inner Wheel on the Hill “Mother sounded very happy when discussing Home- Banstead Rotary Club Surrey County Council’s Children’s Banstead Rotary Xmas collection Services or contact us on: 01737 379 902 Start and said she would recommend to other families Christchurch URC Tadworth Surrey Downs Golf Club Email: [email protected] who are struggling.” Christchurch, Ewell Tattenham Corner Christmas Event Quote from a Referrer Effingham Golf Club The Co-op Home-Start Epsom, Ewell & Banstead Ewell Rotary Club Walton Heath Golf Club 128 Great Tattenhams, Epsom Downs Home-Start Volunteers Waterhouse Café, Kingswood Surrey KT18 5SE Home-Start Epsom, Ewell and Banstead is a company limited by guarantee. Home-Start Trustees Wates Company No: 8765689 Charity No: 1156539 Patron: Lady Lamport Registered Charity No. 1156539 Registered office: 128 Great Tattenhams, Epsom Downs, Surrey KT18 5SE Home-Start Epsom, Ewell and Banstead Chair’s report Trustees We are very fortunate to have a skilled and supportive board of trustees. At Home-Start Epsom, Ewell and Banstead is an independent charity, part of I am delighted to contribute to Home-Start Epsom, Ewell and Banstead’s 22nd the AGM, Geoff Kitchen will stand down as our treasurer, we are delighted he a network of over 300 Home-Start schemes across the UK. We have been Annual Report, my first as Chair of Trustees. supporting local families for 22 years and cover the Borough of Epsom and will remain as one of our most experienced trustees. Rhiannon Rivens, an Ewell and the wards within Banstead & Ashtead. We work to the policies and During this year we welcomed three new skilled and experienced staff members accountant with Toyota, has agreed to take on the role of treasurer. During the standards of Home-Start UK. We are independently managed and funded. that provide the best possible services to families. year Steven Manikon and Beverley Rexstrew resigned from the Board. Tony Evans, Nicolas Morgan and Celia Turnbull continue to contribute their time and Having been a Home-Start trustee for almost two years I have been impressed experience to develop and support Home-Start. Our Vision by the dedication and skills of our staff and volunteers. During the year I have Every parent has the support they need to give their children the best start been privileged to meet many of our fantastic volunteers who give their valuable Also joining us for the year ahead is Elizabeth Yiangou, from Barclays Bank in life. time to support families needing that extra care and help. and Richard Moody, from Crisis. In 2017/18 we recruited and trained 13 volunteers and have 40 volunteers Patron What we do actively supporting families. Two of our most experienced volunteers, Mary Home-Start is predominately a home visiting programme that seeks to Coleman and Pam Whitley, are on the Trustee Board. They encourage volunteer We are delighted that Lady Lamport has agreed to be our Patron. She brings improve parental mental health, strengthen the bonds between parent and participation and offer support and inspiration to all of our volunteers. extensive knowledge of the charity sector combined with an understanding of child and create a safe home environment that enables babies and children Surrey. Volunteering for the British Red Cross, for over eleven years, she has develop to their potential. We support parents as they learn to cope, improve The Trustee Board has agreed a two-year strategy that reflects our financial been a Trustee, President for Surrey and is currently the outgoing President in their confidence and help them to build better lives for their children. The concerns while we plan developments that will help and support families who London. We look forward to welcoming Angela to the role of Patron. benefits of our early intervention include improved health, well-being, and face increasingly complex concerns. We are looking at further group support and self-sufficiency for all our families. We provide one-to-one support for families ways to develop parents’ skills to help them cope with these complex matters. with at least one child under 5 who are facing difficulties such as isolation, We have continued to receive amazing support from local people, organisations postnatal depression, illness or disability of a parent or child, relationship and charities and I would like to thank everyone who helps to make Home-Start breakdown, lack of parenting skills or multiple birth. Epsom, Ewell and Banstead so special. A small team of dedicated and experienced staff visit and assess families matching them to volunteers who are supervised and supported by our staff. Briony Thomas Chair of Trustees A trained volunteer visits the family’s home for 2-3 hours each week to offer practical help, emotional support, informal parenting advice and introduction to other local resources according to the needs of each family. This support is free, confidential and non-judgmental and continues until the family feels confident to cope alone. From May 2018 families receiving Home-Start support have been welcome to attend our new Pop-In and Play group that meets weekly. This is a safe place to be together to reduce isolation and build confidence. Children are encouraged to develop their skills and to eat healthily. Parents and children have benefited with increased confidence, making friends and being part of Scheme Manager report the local community. It is just over a year since I joined Home-Start Epsom, Ewell and Banstead Why it matters in September 2017. Over the last year we have achieved so much; we have increased the funds, updated and reviewed policies and procedures, trained There is considerable evidence to support early years intervention. The years new volunteers, supported and provided training for established volunteers between birth and school are vital for a child’s development. Being a parent covering topics that include Safeguarding, Post-Natal Depression and First Aid. for the first time is a daunting experience. Families may be facing money worries, their own or their child’s disability, not speaking English or suffering We have spent time reviewing practice to make improvements so that the from mental health or domestic abuse issues. A time of life, which the media Our activities scheme can support families even more effectively. A highlight of the year has tells us should be happy and fulfilling, can be scary and lonely. Facing these Families enjoyed a range of activities and outings which we were able to fund been setting up the new Pop-In and Play Group, which now runs every Monday issues alone can lead to long term problems for the family which determine through BBC Children in Need. Fun was had at Hobbledown adventure farm, afternoon. Families have benefitted from having support from the Staff from the life chances children have. Children who are raised in a stable, loving, Jupiter Jos, Soft Play. Families were entertained at Milkshake Live at Epsom the moment of referral and it has also helped families transition when they family environment are more likely to have a positive and healthy future. By Playhouse. We provided families with vouchers for Odeon Cinema during come to the end of their volunteer support. providing early help we can help them avoid longer term difficulties. Home- October half term. Feedback received was really positive. The outings we The Family outings provided an ideal environment for families to get to know Start volunteers and staff work with families to build trust and confidence, they provide give families an opportunity to take part in new activities they wouldn’t each other as well as having fun days out. understand how hard it can be. They work alongside parents, encouraging normally be able to experience. them to access services and helping them cope with the stresses and strains of The year has not been without its challenges, we have had staff changes and life. Parents and volunteers often develop a deeply trusting relationship which Home-Start Surrey Surrey County Council funding decisions looming over us, not to mention a can lead to powerful change within the family. Home-Start Surrey is an umbrella organisation that brings together the 8 Home- new data system and GDPR! Start Schemes in Surrey for the prime purpose of tendering for the Early Help However, we have tackled these together as a strong team and I am grateful Contract we have with Surrey County Council. This should be renewed in the to the staff. And, of course, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without our next few months. wonderful volunteers – thank you to all of you for your tireless work. Funding We are fortunate to receive funding from BBC Children in Need and as in Hazel Davies Scheme Manager previous years we have received generous donations from individuals, support from local Rotary Groups, Reigate and Banstead Council as well as continuing with our other fund-raising activities including Geoff Kitchen’s Golf Day and How we are helping Colin and Jean Sutherland’s Train Day. We also secured a grant from Wates Family Foundation to pilot a 10 week family group. With more funds coming into the Scheme, this helped put our financials onto a Number of new referrals 64 firm footing which allowed us to increase our staffing levels, recruit and train Number of families supported during the year 63 additional volunteers and support families. Number of children supported during the year 125 Parents supporting other parents – A simple idea that works