A READING charity has celebrated 40 years of supporting families in the town.
Home-Start has been helping parents give children the best possible start in life since in spite of difficult circumstances since 1984.
It helps those facing depression, anxiety, and other health issues, as well as bereavement, domestic abuse, financial hardship, or housing struggles.
To celebrate, more than 70 people came together for a party in Prospect Park and marked the milestone.
Attendees took part in dancing with Diddi Dance and circus skills with Storm in a Teacup, followed by a picnic, complete with cakes courtesy of Free Cakes for Kids Reading.
The charity’s manager, Kelly Dadd, said: “We were delighted to see so many faces from over the years, including people who helped to make Home-Start Reading the success it is today.
“How wonderful to have families joining staff, trustees and of course our amazing volunteers to celebrate together.”
“It was especially touching to see Rachel, one of our longstanding volunteers, with a family she supported many years ago – the triplets are looking remarkably grown up now.”
She explained: “There will have been many difficult periods of time over the last 40 years.
“I would say though, at the moment, Home-Start and families in Reading, the UK, and across the world are facing unprecedented challenges.
“It’s incredibly hard to run a charity and it’s incredibly hard to raise a family.
“It’s amazing that Home-Start Reading has been creating support and friendship for 40 years and this is down to lots of very special people.”
She also thanked Jackie Oversby for her contributions to the charity’s work, as she is stepping down from various roles, including as a trustee in the organisation, across 30 years.
Ms Oversby said taking part was “a tremendous privilege– I met so many wonderful people.
“I learned so much from the Home-Start families that I wish I’d known when my own children were small.
“Parents do the most important job society has to offer: bringing up the next generation– our society doesn’t value parents nearly enough.”
More information about Home-Start Reading is available via: home-start-reading.org.uk
