A CHARITY that supports struggling South Gloucestershire families celebrated its 30th birthday last week alongside the people it supports.

Rain did not stop play as around 150 parents, children and volunteers attended an indoor party for Home Start Bristol at the Greenway Centre in Southmead on Saturday, May 20.

A huge bouncy castle was the focus of the party, but children also enjoyed crafts tables, Hawaiian skirt-making, lego-construction, face-painting and a puppet show.

Life-size Minions were also partying with the families, stopping to shake hands and pose for photos throughout the afternoon.

Special guest on the day, and tasked with cutting the cake, was Mrs Sheila Fielden, one of Home Start Bristol’s first volunteers, when the scheme started 30 years ago.

Since then, the charity has expanded to become a true family affair, with Sheila’s daughter, Alex, now working as a Co-ordinator.

Scheme Manager Beverley Symonds, said: “We wanted to do something wonderful for our families to mark Home Start Bristol’s 30th birthday, and there’s nothing more special than seeing volunteers and families, past and present, coming together for one big celebration.”

Home-Start Bristol trains volunteers to support struggling families in South Gloucestershire and Bristol while children are still small, making regular home visits.

All volunteers are parents, the idea being that they are the people who really understand how challenging it can be to give children the best possible start in life.

The next volunteer preparation course starts on Tuesday, September 19. 

For more information about becoming a Home Start Bristol volunteer, call 0117 950 1170 or visit their website here.