A VOLUNTEER with the local branch of national children’s charity, Home-Start, has won an award at the charity’s annual awards. Open to the entire network of Home-Start branches across the UK, the awards celebrate the hard work and commitment of hundreds of individuals who regularly give up their time to help improve the lives of struggling families. Events and Fundraising Volunteer with the charity’s Aberdeen branch, Karen Smith, was recognised with an ‘Extra Applause’ award in the Supporter category.
Volunteer Development Officer with Home-Start, Sally Munday, said: “We received over 115 nominations across the six categories of Corporate Volunteer, Digital Volunteer, Group Volunteer, Home-Visitor, Supporter and Trustee. Four judges had the impossible task of finding winners for each category and an overall volunteer of the year. Karen was recognised as deserving an Extra Applause award because of the way she spent time encouraging other families to take part in Home-Start activities, the way she adapted her approach during Covid, and for going beyond the expectations of her team.”
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A volunteer with Home-Start since April 2018, Karen got involved when a friend asked her to take on sports sponsorship and fundraising to get more people involved in sports activities raising money for Home-Start Aberdeen. “Karen has contributed an outstanding level of support to our charity,” explains Home-Start Aberdeen’s Chief Executive, Eleanor McEwan. “From marathons to kilt walks, she has supported many individuals and groups to participate in a range of sporting events and has helped to fundraise over £28,000 to support local families. She has an incredible empathy and kindness – during lockdown, she set up an obstacle course in her own garden to raise money and awareness for our charity because the kilt walk couldn’t go ahead, and held an Italian cookery class online which raised further funds, tirelessly giving up her time for Home-Start.”
“It’s lovely to have been recognised with this award,” says Karen. “It’s a huge honour to work with Home-Start families, encouraging and supporting them to lead more active lives, and fundraise along the way. Being a small part of that journey is a real privilege, and volunteering for Home-Start Aberdeen is a source of huge satisfaction for me – you get out what you put in.”
For over 30 years Home-Start Aberdeen has been supporting vulnerable families across the city to prevent family crisis and breakdown. These families have at least one child under the age of five and are typically affected by social isolation, bereavement, relationship problems, illness, disability and financial hardship. Home Start Aberdeen positively welcomes and seeks to ensure we achieve diversity. We encourage interest from all regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality. For more information on Home-Start Aberdeen visit www.homestartaberdeen.org.uk
