There was sunshine and there were smiles all round as the local family charity, Home-Start Kennet, enjoyed a Family Day out at Cotswold Wildlife Park.
Over 45 children and parents joined staff and volunteers from the Pewsey based charity, who offer support to local families.
The group enjoyed a picnic lunch and were escorted around the park by their mascots, Lester the Lion and Penny the Penguin – who both attracted a lot of attention!
Tania Rackham is Home-Start Kennet’s Scheme Manager: “After the success of our family day last year, we were thrilled to offer another special day out for the families we support – who are all experiencing challenging times. We are so grateful to the Devizes Lions, Pewsey Carnival and 4 Military Intelligence Battalion, whose kind donations made this day possible.”
Among the families who enjoyed the day out there was enthusiasm about the trip: “It was a lovely day out – the kids and adults really enjoyed their time. Jill [a Home-Start Kennet volunteer] was amazing too, she is such great help!”
It was – as one of the parents said afterwards – the kind of trip that ‘help families like mine do things we can’t normally do.’ When asked about future trips she was open-minded – ‘Anywhere – the beach, zoos’ – just going somewhere with other parents was helpful for them. Another parent added: ‘Anywhere would be good.’
Home-Start Kennet provides in-the-home support for parents struggling with challenges such as: isolation, family breakdown, multiple birth or post-natal illness. Volunteers visit a family once a week for up to 6 months and help build confidence and resilience.
Home-Start helps families in Devizes, Pewsey, Marlborough, Calne, Chippenham and Tidworth.
The charity’s next volunteer training course starts on September 12. Contact homestartkennet.a@btconnect.com or call: 01672 569457 for more information.
You can click on the photos to enlarge them.
