Derek and his daughters Millie, 4 and Maci, 11 months were first referred to Home-Start following the sudden death of Derek’s wife and the girls Mum, Sharlene. Home-Start introduced Derek to a volunteer who offered friendship and support.
Derek and his daughters Millie, 4 and Maci, 11 months were first referred to Home-Start following the sudden death of Derek’s wife and the girls Mum Sharlene.
Home-Start Coordinator, Kerry visited the family home to find out what supports would help Derek and his children. Understandably Derek was devasted and the first meeting was heart breaking. Over a few weeks of building trust with Kerry, Derek was able to identify that he was struggling with knowing what to buy for the household shopping and how to cook meals for Millie and Maci. His wife, Sharlene had previously organised the food shops and made the meals for the family. Derek was also feeling lonely and isolated in his grief particularly when the girls were at nursery.
Kerry introduced Derek to Volunteer Jim and they hit it off straight away. Jim visited the family home every week for 2-3 hours. Jim and Derek would go together to do the weekly food shop. As Derek had dyslexia, Jim helped Derek with reading ingredients labels and cooking instructions. Jim also supported Derek to learn to make a variety of staple meals that were quick, cost effective and easy to make like home-made soups, curries and sweet potatoes.
Before long a friendship between Derek and Jim was developing. Derek felt he had someone to talk to about his struggles of losing Sharlene. Derek and Jim were both football fans and often went to watch games together, it was a great day out with both focused on the match, which provided respite from the daily routine. The bond over sport strengthen with Jim and Derek playing rounds of golf.
Derek was starting to find his confidence again and has started coaching at his daughter’s football team. Millie had made new friends and so had Derek. Derek also became friends with Gemma, a friend of a parent at the football team and unbeknown to them they would go on to marry.
As time went on Derek didn’t need Jim to visit as much as he was now back out in his community and the family was thriving. It was agreed that Home-Start support had come to a natural end and to this day Derek and Jim still keep in touch.
In July 2023 Derek and Gemma got married and Jim and his wife Marie attended the wedding! Family life has moved on for Derek, Gemma, Millie and Maci.
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