MP patron welcomes Home-Start charity to Welwyn Hatfield

Grant Shapps MP was delighted to join representatives of Home-Start at the Howard Centre in Welwyn Garden City to mark the official launch of the charity in Welwyn Hatfield.

The MP, who as patron of the fledgling Welwyn Hatfield group, has been encouraging Home-Start to open and was “delighted” to be present at their launch.

Home-Start aims to help families in their own homes, offering support, friendship and practical assistance. Families with at least one child under 5 will be able to apply for support from one of Home-Start’s volunteers.  

Home-Start Welwyn Hatfield has been strongly supported by local business, organisations and the council and has now raised sufficient funds for its first two years of operation.

Land Securities – owners of the Galleria in Hatfield – have bought the charity a mascot to help raise awareness of the charity, which has been named Hope the Home-Start Hippo by children from Welwyn Garden City.

Grant said: “Home-Start came to see me a few short months ago and told me about their plans. I immediately agreed to become their Patron and suggested a few ideas which might help get them started. A group like this needs an identity so I suggested creating a mascot. The next thing I knew Hope the Hippo had been born and it was great to join the Hippo and volunteers at the launch of this new charity. As a father of a young family I know that raising children is no mean feat, and the support that Home-Start offers will be invaluable for parents in Welwyn Hatfield.”

Sarah Bowyer, chair of trustees said “It is really exciting that Home-Start is finally coming to Welwyn Hatfield. We have been working hard to raise the funds needed and will soon have our first staff in place. We will be looking for volunteers from the community over the coming months and then will be able to start supporting parents and children in Welwyn Hatfield”

ENDS

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