John Hemsley - "Home-Start is a completely different challenge"
John Hemsley is a grandfather who has been a volunteer with Home-Start Norwich for three years. John was introduced to his current Home-Start family two years ago – a divorced mum with four lively boys, all under the age of seven.
John says;
“My own grandson lives 200 miles away so I can’t spend as much time with him as I would like. Volunteering with Home-Start offered me contact with a local family so I can enjoy the company of youngsters. I also feel responsibility for future generations and that it’s worthwhile to give some time regularly to a family that is facing difficulties.
At the time I volunteered I was also looking for a new focus for my energy and enthusiasm. Home-Start is a completely different challenge to anything else in my life and I have gained an enormous amount by volunteering.
The boys and I get on really well and they regard me as a member of the family, another grandparent who will take an interest in them and with whom they can have fun. I read to the younger boys and listen to the older ones reading. Sometimes we play games, get involved in rough-and-tumble play and have water fights outside when it’s hot.
I’ve enjoyed seeing the youngest develop from a baby into a little boy. He was 15 months old when I started and I have watched him learn to walk, to utter meaningful words and string sentences together.
For the mum I provide some adult company and we can have a laugh.
She has got to know me and trust me and is able to talk about difficulties in her life. As well as the family gaining from my visits, I’ve benefited from having this regular contact.
Being a volunteer is a personal journey for me. I’m learning about myself and about relationships in a way that I might not have if I hadn’t joined Home-Start. I often get home after my visits physically and emotionally exhausted, but I’ve never thought about giving up. It is obvious that my presence is very much appreciated and the visits are also valuable to me.”
