Home Start Lomond News
HOME-Start Lomond has celebrated its first year as an independent charity.
(June 2025)
Holding its inaugural annual general meeting (AGM) at the Family Hub in Churchill Square, the charity outlined its achievements and future plans on April 8.
Previously under the umbrella of Home-Start Lorne, the meeting marked a successful year of independent operations.
The charity reported having provided support to nearly 100 local families over the past year.
This included over 700 hours of one-to-one volunteer and staff support to individual families.
Home-Start Lomond also runs seven hours per week of peer support group sessions and an additional three hours per week for naval families.
These efforts have led to positive improvements in feelings of isolation, mental health, building friendships, and parenting confidence within the families.
Volunteers, who are central to the charity’s work, have been retained, with five new recruits completing their training and preparing to support more families.
The well-being of the volunteers has been a priority, as they have been treated to yoga, craft activities, meals out, and walks.
At the AGM, the trustees, including Irene Edwards and Milly Gregson, were unanimously re-elected.
The board of trustees consists of Pete Kemp (chair), Irene Edwards, Milly Gregson (treasurer), Louise Mathis, and Garth Atkinson (secretary).
The trustees discussed the three-year strategic and financial plan for the service, confirming that the charity is financially stable and policy compliant.
Home-Start Lomond is looking forward to welcoming more families and volunteers in the next year.
For more information about volunteering, contact admin@homestartlomond.org.uk.
Home-Start Lomond AGM
8th April 2025
Home-Start Lomond held their inaugural AGM on 8 April 2025 at the Family Hub in Churchill Square. Having previously come under Home Start Lorne the AGM marked the end of the first year of being an independent charity and provided a chance to reflect on what has been a busy, but successful year.
The manager reported that in the last year Home-Start Lomond has provided both group and one-to-one support to almost 100 local families. This includes over 700 hours of one-to-one volunteer and staff support to individual families. Home-Start Lomond also facilitates 7 hours per week of peer support group sessions and an additional 3 hours per week of peer group support for naval families. This has resulted in positive improvements in feelings of isolation, mental health, developing friendships and parenting confidence within the families.
As volunteers are the core providers of support, Home-Start Lomond is delighted to have retained all existing volunteers, and after holding a recruitment drive recently, have 5 new volunteers completing their training and ready to start supporting families in the new financial year. The volunteers have been supported with wellbeing sessions such as Yoga, craft activities, meals out and walks.
At the AGM, Irene Edwards and Milly Gregson were re-elected as trustees by a unanimous vote. The board of Trustees for Home-Start Lomond is Pete Kemp (chair), Irene Edwards, Milly Gregson (Treasurer) , Louise Mathis and Garth Atkinson (secretary).
The trustees discussed the 3 year Strategic and Financial Plan for the service, with reference to the financial figures from the past year and the financial strategy via the projected spend budget for the next year. The trustees are pleased to report the charity is financially stable, policy compliant and has a strategic plan in place for the next 3 years. Home Start Lomond looks forward to welcoming current and new families and volunteers in the next year and improving outcomes for local families.
If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering as a Home visiting volunteer or trustee please contact us on admin@homestartlomond.org.uk.
Naval Playdate helps HMNB Clyde families overcome isolation
2nd February 2025
"The Naval Playdate scheme, run by Home-Start Lomond, offers a weekly meet-up for naval families at Drumfork Community Centre.
The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) funds the initiative, which aims to support the wellbeing of local families and boost morale.
Laura Eales, Home-Start manager, said: "Military families face specific challenges and are often isolated far away from the support of friends and family." "
Read full article here:
HMS Vigilant submariners donate £720 to Home-Start Lomond
13th November 2024
"A HELENSBURGH and Lomond charity supporting children and families of submariners has been helped in its efforts thanks to a kind donation from Royal Navy personnel.
Home-Start Lomond received a surprise fundraising boost following the recent deployment of HMS Vigilant, the Navy's third Vanguard-class submarine, with kind-hearted submariners donating £720 to the local good cause."
Read full article here:
HMS Vigilant submariners donate £720 to Home-Start Lomond | Helensburgh Advertiser - Read More »
