Dragonflies spread their wings further with extra support

Thursday 20 December 2018

Parents and children helped by Home-Start Guernsey have received a huge boost thanks to the Sarah Groves Foundation.

The charity has extended its investment in Dragonflies, the popular drop-in support groups run by Home-Start.

Pictured: Sarah Groves was murdered in India more than five years ago. The trial of the accused is ongoing, but in Guernsey, Sarah's name and memory has been the catalyst for a huge amount of good work through the Sarah Groves Foundation. 

Generous funding from the Sarah Groves Foundation has kept Dragonflies groups going since the first was launched in 2015 at Home–Start Guernsey’s base at the Roseville Community Centre in St Peter Port. The popularity of Dragonflies led to new groups supporting local communities in St Martin’s and at Styx as well as a dedicated Dads’ group in Vale.

Pictured: Arts and crafts time at the Home-Start Dads' group. 

This year, the Foundation granted funding for a further two years until July 2020. With this funding, Home-Start Guernsey has been able to start running Dragonflies from its latest venue, at Styx in St Pierre du Bois. This brings the total number of groups to four each week securing the future and the expansion of the valuable resource designed to give pre school children a welcoming and supportive environment to play and learn.

Inspired by Sarah’s fascination for drawing dragonflies, the idea for the group was quickly established to give young children the opportunity to explore different arts and crafts with their parents. The Dragonflies groups provide 'a welcoming and inclusive environment to support parents, help build friendships and offer a support network for families and are staffed by Home-Start staff and volunteers.' Their popularity mean volunteers can see up to 100 people a week at the groups.

The success of Dragonflies reflects the continuing hard work and inspiration provided by the Sarah Groves Foundation and Home-Start Guernsey.

Further information about Dragonflies is available on Home-Start Guernsey’s Facebook page.

Pictured: One of Home-Starts longest serving volunteers and supporters, Jane, recently stepped down from the charity. She was given a heart warming send off with personalised gifts during a Dragonflies session last week.

Pictured top: Caroline who runs the Dragonflies groups, with some of her regular attendees.