Family support charity receives £25,000 in time for International Day of Families

The Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands has granted local charity Home-Start Guernsey £25,000 to cover costs for their support staff, premises, and vital training for their volunteers.

15^th May is International Day of Families and Home-Start Guernsey is a huge contributor to family support services in the island. This day is integral to raising awareness on an international scale about the issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families. 

Home-Start Guernsey has been running for seven years now and recruits parents as volunteers who visit families experiencing stressful times. The volunteers offer a unique blend of support and friendship which is important in encouraging parent’s strengths and emotional well-being for the benefit of their children. 

The charity will be using the £25,000 to enhance the training offered to its volunteers and support staff who positively affect the lives of so many in Guernsey.  Additionally, the money will be used to cover costs for revamping its premises. 

Margaret Spaargaren, chair of Home-Start Guernsey said: “I’m so pleased to be receiving this grant from the Foundation.  It will benefit us in many ways as we feel that training for our volunteers is vital to our success and subsequently key to helping the families we support.”

Jo Le Poidevin, Executive Director, Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands said: “It’s a pleasure to be providing necessary funds to support the vital work of Home-Start Guernsey.  Providing support services to families who need some extra help will make a huge difference in their life and possibly help to decrease the levels of stress and pressure they may feel financially, emotionally, or physically.  This mission is integral to what the Foundation stands for and I look forward to seeing how Home-Start benefits from these funds in due course.”

 Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands works to help eliminate disadvantage experienced by local islanders.  They donate money to local charities that, among other purposes, provide family support, create positive opportunities for disabled people, help the homeless, prevent substance misuse, and challenge disadvantage and discrimination. Last year, they donated in excess of £600,000 to local charities.