When grandmother of two, Ruth Kershaw retired after 20 years of childminding, little did she know that she would still be supporting families and their children 15 years later.
68-year-old Ruth has recently celebrated 15 years’ of volunteering service with Home-Start Bradford District and she has supported over 30 families so far. When asked her secret she simply says: “I just love children – especially little ones!”.
Ruth also said: “When I started volunteering with Home-Start Bradford District, I didn’t think I would be doing it for long, but here I am 15 years later – I just love it. I have helped lots of families with different situations as everyone is different.”
“I always make sure that I sit down with the family and find out what their needs are and how they want me to help, whether that is getting down on the floor and playing with the children, being a listening ear or an extra pair of hands. I once supported a mum who had triplets so that she could have support getting out and about to baby groups and a music session at Shipley Library. ”
“When a family is ready for my support to come to an end, you really feel that you have achieved so much and been on that journey with them. One mum gave me a gift of a frame that she had made herself, which said ‘there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer’ – that really meant a lot to me.”
“Volunteering has given me so much confidence and I feel very proud to be one. If you love children and have some spare time, then I would really recommend doing it.”
Ruth is Home-Start Bradford District’s longest serving volunteer and sometimes supports two families at a time as the team have a waiting list of families in need of volunteer support.
Christine Gaffey, Operations Manager, Home-Start Bradford District said: “The support that our volunteers provide are vital and in some cases life-changing for the families that they support. Ruth is an absolute star and has so much energy – we are very lucky to have her in our Home-Start Bradford family. We would love to have more grandparents volunteer with us as they have a lifetime of parenting experience to pass on to a family in need.”
Home-Start Bradford District are at present looking for volunteers and their next volunteer preparation course begins on Wednesday 14 September. Ring the team for a friendly chat on 01274 666711 to find out more or visit www.homestartbradford.co.uk/volunteer
