Community Life Magazine - Bedford Issue 1

A DAY IN THE LIFE ...
Home-Start are a Bedford charity
providing help and support to families
with children in need. Th ey off er trained
befrienders to enable these families to cope
and learn to learn skills they need for family
life. ‘Parents supporting Parents’ is their
ethos and all their volunteers are already
parents of varying ages.
At 21, Sara Waggott from Bedford is one of their
youngest volunteers. Sara shares with us her typical
day with her ‘family’.
“In 2009, I had my son and I was lucky to have the
support of a great family. It was hard being so young
and having a lot of responsibility. Th ere were times I
didn’t know where to turn but thanks to my family
support, I coped. I always wanted to work with
children so after completing my NVQ Level 2, I
looked for something I could do while still caring for
my son. I found Home-Start and never looked back.
Helping daily challenges
My ‘family’ are wonderful. I was nervous when I fi rst
met them but the Home-Start training gave me the
confi dence and knowledge I needed. When I met
them, Mum was still living at home and I supported
her through the transition to the new home, a
stressful time for them all but they are settled and
happy now. Dad has autism and Mum has mild
learning disabilities so they still face daily challenges
that I help them through.
Today I spend some time with her sorting out some
letters and bills, help her to make some calls and run
through her shopping budget to help plan healthy
family meals. She needs some guidance and likes
being shown once and then she can manage from
there. Th e support I off er makes a real diff erence.
Th en we make some blueberry muffi ns. She loves
cooking with the children and always has the
ingredients ready, I just help her to measure and
follow the recipe. Th e girls really enjoyed helping and
Sara Waggott
To advertise please call 01234 310521 or email: teresa@communitylife.co.uk
VOLUNTEERING
it is good for them all to bond and share an activity.
One of their daughters has autism, so later we played
some Wii Bowling which is not only fun but also
helps with her hand to eye co-ordination.
One thing I don’t do is housework but I help her to
get organised and provide practical help if needed. I
recently supported her at a college interview and she
is now successfully enrolled on a course.
We spend some time talking and this is a chance for
any worries to be shared in confi dence. Simply being
there to listen is often enough to help. She says she
likes my level headedness and the fact that I never
pass judgement.
Time to walk the dog – in the rain of course! Th e girls
really enjoy the visits, we often draw and paint and I
help mum get involved with these activities too.
I enjoy every minute, it is hugely rewarding. I have
been with my family for a year now and they are
coping so much better. It’s an incredible feeling to
know I have been a part of this. I highly recommend
this kind of volunteering. It’s not always easy and
it takes patience and commitment. Th ere are high
standards to meet, not to mention some paperwork
but it has helped me to develop as a person and a
mum and I have gained great skills along the way.”
If you are interested in becoming
a Home-Start volunteer,
please call Wendie on 01234 270601.
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