Home-Start Goole is very proud to announce that one of our volunteers, Celia Evans, won the Long Serving Volunteer Award at this year’s HEYSmile Foundation Time 2 Volunteer Awards.
Celia had been a home-visiting volunteer with Home-Start Goole and District for a remarkable 28 years. The role involves the volunteer being linked with a family who the volunteer visits once a week for a few hours to offer support, friendship and practical help.
Celia started with Home-Start Goole in 1995 as one of the very first cohort of Home-Start Goole volunteers and since then has consistently offered support to families in the Goole area. Celia has juggled this with full-time work ,her own children, and now her grandchildren; there is a saying that if you want something doing, ask a busy person – never truer than in Celia’s case!
Susie Bovill, Scheme Manager says: “Celia is a fantastic member of our Home-Start team. She has been at the heart of our scheme right from the start and is a great role model for our other volunteers. Celia is very understanding and accepting of how families try to navigate the complexities of family life and she takes everything in her stride. We are very proud of her and we’re lucky to have her; she demonstrates whole-hearted commitment to the family support service we offer in our local community. Without exception, the feedback we get from all the families she supports tells of the positive impact she has on them.”
The family she currently supports: “Celia came into our lives over a year ago, she has helped us in every way possible, supporting our family through some very difficult times and being there when we need her the most. Our children are always so excited to see her and await what adventures we will have together each week. She is beyond amazing, she has honestly changed our lives.”
Celia has supported families through many varying issues over the years from educational assessments , health problems and safeguarding issues to the lighter times when triplets need feeding and a spare pair of hands is required, or organising some playtime in the local park! A thoroughly well-deserved award to a very special person.