LOCAL charity Home-Start Bradford District is celebrating 25 years since it was founded in February 1999.

The anniversary is being marked with a series of events and a campaign inviting people to ‘Spread the Words’ – 25 words for 25 years.

When the charity was established in 1999 as Home-Start Bradford North, it had a single worker supporting families with 0-5s in the Bradford Moor area.

Fast forward 25 years and a merger with Home-Start Shipley along the way, the charity now has seven members of staff, over 50 active volunteers and covers the whole of the Bradford district.

Trained volunteers at Home-Start Bradford District visit families in their own homes providing personalised emotional and practical support to families with young children who may be facing exceptional difficulties.

One mum, Natalie Spiers, was supported by Christine Gaffey, Operations Manager, 20 years ago when she was a single mum of two young boys and struggling with post-natal depression.

Natalie said: “I didn’t know at the time, but it was extremely necessary for my mental wellbeing to have the fantastic partnership of the friendly and committed staff, nurturing me on my challenging journey.

“They were professional and supportive at all times. I’m sure it must have been frustrating seeing me making the same mistakes over and over again, but they never made me feel anything other than cared for.

“I am certain that I wouldn’t be who I am today and I wouldn’t have the wisdom or courage I have if I hadn’t been referred to Home-Start and met Christine 20 years ago!”

Christine Gaffey, Operations Manager said: “Natalie was one of my first families in my role as Family and Volunteer Coordinator over 20 years ago.

"Natalie was very open and honest about what she wanted and how she was feeling and with our support you could see Natalie and the boys thrive. Natalie was and still is an amazing mum.

“We are very proud to be celebrating 25 years of Home-Start Bradford District supporting over 2300 families with young children across Bradford.

“Since 1999, over 1000 volunteers have gifted over 50,000 hours of their time. We have several events over this year which will bring together past volunteers, trustees, families and members of staff so that we can thank them all.”

Amanda Finn, Community Child Health Worker, volunteered with Home-Start Bradford in 2002.

Amanda said: “The Home-Start volunteering opportunity came at a time when I needed some experience working directly with families. Volunteering gave me an insight into how I could work with families and not go back into retail jobs that I had previously done. I knew I wanted to work in family support and that’s where I have been for the last 20 years!”

Home-Start Bradford District held a 25th anniversary event at The Jubilee Centre, BD1 on June 25, with past employees, volunteers, trustees and families in attendance.

Help Home-Start Bradford District to #SpreadTheWords as part of their 25th anniversary celebrations, more information can be found on their Facebook page https://buff.ly/4bSny35

If you would like to volunteer, fundraise for Home-Start Bradford District or need support, contact us on 01274 666711. A new volunteering preparation course starts Tuesday, September 17 at the Thornbury Centre, BD3. Find out more at www.homestartbradford.co.uk.

Events in this 25th anniversary year include:

• Volunteer meal at the Aagrah (February)

• Charity Curry and Quiz Night at Deeva in Farsley (April)

• Volunteers’ Week activities (June)

• 25th Anniversary Celebration Event (June)

• Sponsored 25km walk (September)

• Family Christmas Party (December)