About Home-Start
Home-
Who we are
Home-Start Goole & District offers befriending support along with practical and emotional advice in the homes of families who are having difficulties managing parenting for a variety of different reasons.
We help families in Goole and Selby and surrounding villages to give their children the best start in life.
The support Home-Start volunteers give is non-judgemental, compassionate and confidential. We work with you to build on your strengths and give you the support that you tell us that you need.
Please get in touch with us to find out how Home-Start (Goole and District) can help you and your family.
Helping families in Goole & District since 1995
Families helped
Children supported
Volunteers
What we do
Our volunteers offer befriending support along with practical and emotional advice in the homes of families who are having difficulties managing parenting for a variety of different reasons.
They support parents by doing things together including:
- shopping
- going to a parent and toddler group
- getting on top of housework
- playing with children
- attending appointments
- getting benefits advice
and many other things too.
Our volunteers are also good at listening and giving encouragement. Getting to know each other and having a laugh together is good medicine!
“Home-Start raises self-confidence, improves social networks, reduces difficult behaviour on the part of the child and improves mental and physical health” – Every Child Matters Government Green Paper.
Areas we cover
We will support families in any of these communities:
DN4
Goole, Rawcliffe, East Cowick, West Cowick, Snaith, Carlton, Pollington, Heck, Balne, Gowdall, Hensall, Eggborough, Whitley, Kellington, Airmyn, Howden, Kilpin, Laxton, Eastrington, Old Goole, Swinefleet, Reedness.
YO8
Drax, Camblesforth, Barlow, Burn, Brayton, Selby, Thorpe Willoughby, Osgodby, Cliffe, Lund, Barlby, Hemingbrough, North Duffield, Riccall.
HU15
Gilberdyke, Newport.
Case Studies
Family
“I’m a single Mum of two children, aged five and two.
One of my children has behavioural problems. I felt very isolated, has depression and lacked confidence and my self-esteem was low. I had a lot of contact with the Health Visitor during this time who told me about Home-Start and what they do. I got a volunteer pretty quickly after I got referred. The volunteer I had was fantastic, she came and listened to me, didn’t judge my parenting skills and made me realise I wasn’t on my own about the difficulties I was facing. We would take the kids out places, in time she helped me build my confidence and boost my self-esteem. I don’t think the volunteers realise the impact they have on the families they visit. They are valued and appreciated so much.
Now I’ve got my life back on track I came to the decision that I would like to give something back to the community, help people who are in need like I was in one point in my life.”
‘Mum’ is now a volunteer with Home-Start Goole.
Volunteer
“I joined Home Start as a volunteer to gain experience in family support work , I never expected it to become such a big part of my life or so life changing for me and my family .During my time with Home-Start, I received some of the best training I have ever received in any organisation I have worked for. The training I had gave me the confidence and knowledge to go out and apply for a dream job and to also believe in myself in this new role and with the amazing support and references from Home-Start I got the job. I will never be able to thank Goole Home-Start enough, with their support and encouragement I have gained a wealth of experience , my confidence has grown and so has my self-belief and although I have a new career, I will always sing the praises of Home-Start and support them any way I can. Not only do they provide support and friendship for families that need it , they do this for volunteers also .“
Current vacancies
If you are interested in any of these opportunities please contact 01405 769966 or office@hsgoole.org.uk
Family support volunteers
Home-Start supports families across our communities who have young children and are facing difficulties, making sure a child’s early years count.
Our Volunteers are trained and given expert support from our staff team so that they can provide the best support for parents and their children.
Through a careful matching process, Home Visiting Volunteers can build a strong and trusting relationship with a family they may go on to support for many months.
We help families from all backgrounds through their most challenging times and just a couple of hours a week can transform the lives of parents and their children.
Our Volunteers provide non-judgmental, compassionate and confidential support, giving families the right help at the right time and in a way that suits them.
By volunteering your time and experiences for just a few hours each week you can even change lives, including your own. We know from research the benefits to our volunteers; in developing new skills, building confidence and relationships and also supporting training and placements for work and study.
Visit our Volunteer Page for more information and get in touch.
Become a Home-Start Trustee
Home-Start Goole and District is an independent local charity and being a trustee is all about the governance of the charity. Could you help plan and oversee how we will support families in your community?
You’ll have a wide range of duties and be responsible for making the charity effective, providing overall direction and maintaining sound management of funds. If you have any of these skills:
- general business management
- financial or legal expertise
- IT knowledge
- human resources experience
- PR and media skills
- knowledge of family support issues in the community
then we’d love to hear from you.
To find out more email office@hsgoole.org.uk
Our Staff Team
Home Start (Goole and District) has a small team of paid staff who recruit, train and offer ongoing support and guidance to the volunteers who work with our families.
Senior Family Support Organiser - Susie Bovill
I joined Home-Start in 2008 as a home-visiting volunteer then joined the staff team in 2009 as a Family Co-ordinator. I am now Scheme Manager/Senior Family Support Organiser. It is a challenging and rewarding job; each day is different and I get to meet lots of great people. To see the results of volunteers and families working through tough times together, in unique Home-Start fashion, is undoubtedly the best bit, and a privilege.
Family Support Organiser - Sophie Ross-Briggs
I joined Home-Start as Family Support Organiser in June 2021. I recruit, train and supervise our team of fabulous volunteers and receive and process family referrals. I also run our Parent Support Group in Goole and help organise events and trips for families to enjoy. I love to see families thriving and giving their children the best possible start in life; our volunteers are alongside these families, supporting and encouraging, to help them achieve just that.
Family Support Organiser - Zoe Schager
I joined Home-Start as a volunteer in July 2022 and then when a vacancy for Family Support Organiser came up I applied and was thrilled to be offered the position in January 2023. My main roles are to recruit, train and supervise volunteers and to receive and process family referrals. I run a weekly Parent Support Group in Selby and also help organise and run trips and events for families. I love to see the difference just a few hours a week of friendly, non-judgemental support from one of our lovely volunteers makes to a family who is going through a challenging time.
Finance and Administration Officer - Julie Toone
In 2008 I responded to an advert for Home-Start volunteers, I really enjoyed my time supporting families, it was very rewarding and easy to fit around my other commitments. In 2009 I became a member of staff; my role is Admin/Finance Officer. I am proud to be part of a caring team of staff, trustees and volunteers. I love to hear the regular feedback from families and volunteers telling us how they have benefitted from the Home-Start experience and we work hard to secure on-going funding so we can sustain our vital service.
Our trustees
Home-Start (Goole and District) is managed by a board of volunteer trustees.
Our trustees serve on the governing board and are responsible for directing the management and administration of the charity.
They have a wide range of duties and are responsible for making the charity effective, providing overall direction and maintaining sound management of funds.
Chair of Trustees – Janet Drewery
I joined the board of trustees in July 2015 and was elected as chair in March 2020.
I am now retired from a career in primary education. I trained and worked in the Midlands before returning to work in schools in my home town of Hull and later East Riding of Yorkshire.
I am a volunteer in a residential care home, a district officer for Rotary, and a proud supporter of the service that Home Start provides for families in Goole and District.
In my spare time I love spending time with my grandchildren, gardening, walking, sewing and amateur dramatics!
Trustee and Treasurer – Beth Jenkins
I first encountered Home-Start as a family in the now-closed Wolds scheme shortly after my son was born in 2006. With the help of my lovely volunteer Dorothy, I was able to get through post-natal depression and in 2007 I joined the board of trustees as the Treasurer. I have been on the board for many years and it’s full of amazing experiences, wonderful people and satisfaction in being able to give something back.
I am the Bookkeeping Manager at Yorkshire Accountancy in Cottingham. My husband, son and I like to attend Steampunk events all over the country dressed in fantastical Victorian outfits. We make these between us and enjoy coming up with strange ideas for things we can do. I also enjoy cooking, baking and reading.
Trustee - Malcolm Boatman
I have been a trustee with Home-Start Goole for many years. I am now retired from work and politics, but was previously a councillor in Goole for 20 years and was mayor of Goole twice. I have been a school governor for over 20 years.
Trustee - Bridget Bennett
Having trained as a social worker I have spent my entire career working with children and families in the voluntary and public sector. For 20 years I was responsible for the early years’ service in East Riding.
I am now semi-retired and spend my some of my spare time caring for my three young great nephews and am also involved in a number of church activities. My real passion is music and I enjoy singing in a couple of local choirs.
In 2019 I was privileged to be awarded an MBE for my services to children and families.
Become a Home-Start Volunteer Today
Home-Start’s team of trained volunteers make sure a child’s early years count. By volunteering just a few hours each week you can transform the lives of young children and their parents in your community.