Investors in People

March 2005

In association with Business Link, Home-Start Dacorum are pleased to announce that we have been awarded the Investors in People Standard which recognises the quality procedures of our organisation. We would like to thank all of the volunteers who gave their time at such short notice to meet with the examiner.

The Rotary Club of Hemel Hempstead

July 2005

We were delighted that 2005/2006's President of Rotary Club of Hemel Hempstead chose us to be their Charity for his term of office. The Rotarians not only fundraised on our behalf but also helped us in a directly practical manner assisting us with transport for Family Group and lent a hand with fundraising throughout the year.

Home-Start Dacorum and Hemel Hempstead Rotary Club worked as a partnership with all of our supporters working together in this - the Year of the Volunteer. At the end of the year we exchanged certificates to document the number of joint hours that we worked together.

The Big Tea Party

September 2005

September 2005 was a really busy and exciting month for Home-Start Dacorum. Together with many other schemes around the country we took part in The Big Tea Party, a campaign supported by Sainsbury's to help us raise both our profile and much needed funds. During the month our volunteers and supporters were involved in many events based on the 'Tea' theme including:

• A family fun day at Gadebridge Park including a Human Table 'Foot - T' competition

  
  

• Sainsbury's Shake-a-Tin with Sainsbury's staff dressing in school uniform.

  

• Bridge Tea event - Held in the homes of two volunteers who raised £445 together.

  

• Home-Start Dacorum ChariTea Cup Competition held at Berkhamsted Golf Club on the 12th September. The winner Bryan Franklin received a fantastic tea cup trophy. The event raised over £180.

  

• Plus many other tea parties held in the homes of our supporters and volunteers. Many thanks to:

  Little Gaddesden Parent and Toddler Group
  Sally Dawson
  Pat Driver
  Madeleine Harris
  Lyn & Pete Moore
  Sue Burford
  Rollo and Christine Prendergast
  The Rotary Club of Hemel Hempstead for manning the Football event so well and helping so willingly at all of our events
  And all those assisting in any way with these events.

The Big Lottery Fund

October 2005

It is with great pleasure that we can report that The Big Lottery Fund has decided to continue its support over the next 3 years by awarding us a grant of £80,236-. This makes up 75% of the overall costs of running a 3 year project concentrating on areas of deprivation within the borough. In addition, Dacorum Primary Care Trust has undertaken to provide the remainder of the funds needed for this project - Lara Parker, Senior Coordinator.

Race Night

October 2005

On 14th October a fund-raising Race Night was held at Berkhamsted Golf Club. Home-Start Dacorum was one of two charities supported. A strong field was entered, the going was good and the punters reached deep into their pockets. Enthusiastic support came from friends of Home-Start and The Rotary Club of Hemel Hempstead was out in force.

The evening event resulted in a donation of £671 to Home-Start Dacorum.

Our thanks go to Gary Oborne, Captain of Berkhamsted Golf Club for sponsoring Home-Start Dacorum for this event, members of the Club and their guests for their generosity, The Rotary Club of Hemel Hempstead for their support and Tom Banks for his persistence.

New Coordinator

February 2006

"Hello! My name is Diane Young and I am delighted to have joined Home-Start as a part time coordinator. I have been asked ( informed by Lara!) to write a little about myself for the newsletter so here goes…………

I am married and have two gorgeous children. Callum aged 6 who has no front teeth at the moment. He therefore no longer looks like my little blond angel but a thug – rite of passage I suppose but it is hard to see them growing up! I also have a 10 month old baby girl, Rachael who is a pure delight and also has no front teeth – perhaps it’s a family trait!!!!

I have a strange existence in that my husband works in Russia – one month away and one month back. So I live my life as a single parent of two children and then have to adjust to having another adult around – messing up my routine and leaving “stuff” around the house!!. Although its hard it really has given me an insight into how desperately hard family life can be if there is one parent.

I have two rescue greyhound dogs so if you want a laugh I can be seen pushing the pram through the thick mud on Northchurch common screaming at my two extremely disobedient mutts!

My background includes working in the NHS for some years at Stanmore Orthopaedic Hospital both in the back unit and paediatrics. I was also a Manager of a GP practice then a dental practice. I was also a Samaritan for some years.

I am really excited about joining Home-Start. I have never worked in an organisation where there is such enthusiasm and love and everybody I have met has just been so lovely to me. I look forward to getting to know you all over the coming months."
Diane's position is Lottery-funded

Rotary Quiz Night

February 2006

25th February saw over 150 guests of The Rotary Club of Hemel Hempstead assemble in John F Kennedy School Gym for a fiercely competitive Quiz Night, which was superbly organised with video displays and running score sheets.
Home-Start Dacorum was represented by two tables, one of which went into the sudden-death final but our representative was sadly too young to know the deciding question. Any guesses as to how many Anderson Shelters were erected in WWII (to the nearest thousand)?
75% of the proceeds of ticket and raffle sales will be donated to Home-Start Dacorum. Once again we thank The Rotary Club of Hemel Hempstead for their support. (Photo courtesy of John Rowlands).

New Year Honours

10th March 2006

Our Chairman, Christine Prendergast, was awarded a New Year Honours award by The Hemel Hempstead Gazette, in recognition of service to the Community. At a ceremony on March 10, Christine was presented with her certificate by Editor David Feldstein, in recognition of valued service to the West Herts community, detailed in the Gazette New Year Honours list published on December 28, 2005. Christine had been nominated by the Staff at Home-Start Dacorum.

Duplicate & Chicago Bridge Lunch

28th April 2006

Our Bridge fund-raiser at Ashley Green Community Hall was well supported, with 16 tables. Our willing helpers provided a delicious lunch and the bar did thriving business. Together with Raffle and Bring & Buy proceeds we raised a significant amount which will go a long way to funding our two Summer outings for Home-Start families.

An Evening of Gentle Jazz

6th May 2006

Hemel Hempstead Rotary hosted an evening's entertainment at Berkhamsted Civic Centre, featuring "Gentle Jazz". This 8 piece band hails from the Herts/Bucks area and gives freely of its talents to support good causes all over the country. They show-cased Ellington, Monk, Coltrane, Gershwin and others as well as their own compositions and arrangements. The well-attended event raised funds for Home-Start Dacorum, which the Rotarians will combine with proceeds from their other fund-raising events to go towards their chosen Home-Start Dacorum activity.

It's monday all week!

13-19th June 2006

monday, Britain's new charity lottery will raise money for more than 70 UK charities including Home-Start. The draw is every Monday night. Home-Start will get 30% of every ticket sold on its behalf. The 70 charities stand to earn more than £150m extra each year. Home-Start will benefit directly from games on the following weeks (but we'd encourage you to play each week and support the other charity partners too): 13-19th June 2006. September, October and December dates to be announced. Click here if you would like to learn more about Home-Start's involvement with monday. If you would like to have a go yourself and give 5 times more of your £1 to charity, or encourage your friends to try this new lottery, click here.

Rotary Volunteering celebrated

27th June 2006

Tony Amies, outgoing President of The Rotary Club of Hemel Hempstead, and Christine Prendergast, Chairman of Home-Start Dacorum, exchanged certificates to document the volunteering hours given by the Rotarians to our Scheme during the year. Tony and Christine are pictured at Family Group.

Rotary Presentation to Family Group

4th July 2006

Christine Prendergast (Chairman) and Lara Parker (Senior Coordinator) were guests at Tony Amies' final Rotary Club meeting as President. Tony presented a cheque to Home-Start Dacorum. Over £2,000 was raised during the year by The Rotary Club of Hemel Hempstead, which will be put towards funding our family Group.

Teddy Bears' Picnic

16th July 2006

Families, volunteers and staff enjoyed a Teddy Bears' Picnic at beautiful Gaddesdon Place, generously hosted by Nova Fisher. We had a great day and a Bear Hunt in the woods produced a haul of two bears!