New Year is a time for reflection and resolution
and at Home-Start Wellingborough and
District that is exactly what January 2017
means.

Our Christmas stared in early November as we
helped Santa by putting together the names of
children who we felt really deserved to be on
his list. The town’s ‘Giving Tree’ has become
an integral part of Christmas in Wellingborough,
with many people buying an additional gift to
place under the tree. Toiletries were received
from several churches, while local firms
encouraged employees to donate essential
items for babies and infants.

Over 100 children and parents shared in our
Christmas Dinner. The success of this event
was, in a large part, due to the great support
we receive from Home-Start volunteers living in
some of our local villages including Ringstead,
Isham and Wollaston.

The butcher in Earls Barton donated the turkey
and rumour has it that Santa can also be found
there strolling round the village ‘incognito’
during the year. Our charity is not just for
Christmas and throughout 2016 our volunteers
provided regular invaluable support to over 200
vulnerable children and their parents.

Reflections over - now for the future…
Home-Start has made the New Year’s resolution
to continue do all that we can to help families
and children. This is not going easy as we
have been hit by severe funding cuts and, in
order to prevent closure, we have to take a new
approach to securing funds.

Through our ‘Changing Futures’ Campaign we
are seeking the support of local people through
regular giving. By signing up to give just £3 a
month together we can ensure that fragile families
get the help and support they need. What a
difference the price of a cup of coffee or a monthly
magazine could make to a vulnerable child!

It is not too late for any of us to make a
meaningful New Year’s resolution and hopefully,
this time next year, I will be able to reflect upon
the futures we have changed through the
resolve of local people.

In the meantime, many thanks to all readers who
have supported us during 2016 and warmest
wishes for 2017.

Information about our charity can
be found on our website:
www.homestartwellingborough.org.uk,
by phoning 01933 272749 or on
our facebook page.

Janet Gwilliam Sanders
Scheme Manager
Home-Start Wellingborough & District

 
Opportunity is born with each new year