Billy-Jo O’Leary shares updates, encouragement and prayer points related to Home for Good’s work across the South-East.

What existing partners have you seen progress with?

West Sussex https://homeforgood.org.uk/west-sussex

PACT https://homeforgood.org.uk/pact

Where is our work making a difference?

We are excited to see a growing network of families who foster or adopt coming together, creating a sense of community and support. Children and families are finding comfort in seeing their experiences reflected in others, knowing they are not alone.

We are also connecting with Supported Lodgings Hosts and linking them to the Supported Lodgings Network (SLNN).

https://homeforgood.org.uk/supported-lodgings

https://supportedlodgings.net/

How have you been engaging with volunteers?

Our volunteers are the vital link connecting us locally to churches, networks, and families. We couldn’t achieve all that we do without them. Each volunteer contributes in their own unique way, championing our work and helping us find homes for children.

Recently, we’ve welcomed new volunteers who are passionate about starting peer support groups across the region, providing administrative support, and running WhatsApp prayer groups. It’s been wonderful to see these initiatives grow.

We were also glad to support the Kent group in planning a meetup, though unfortunately, a coffee morning had to be postponed due to the storms. We hope to reschedule it soon.

In West Sussex, our Volunteers and Champions hosted a successful Vision Evening and are already planning another one in Crawley.

With Mother’s Day approaching and festival season on the horizon, we’re looking forward to even more opportunities to connect and celebrate together!

Other activity & stories

Our continued work along the South Coast means we have started to engage with and connect with churches in Bognor and Littlehampton we hope to be hosting speaking engagements and vision events soon. There is keen church activity in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, get in touch if you want to know more.

Early February we hosted the first ‘Together Conference’ in Basingstoke. We had a great time together, sharing and hearing from families. We had a lovely homemade soup lunch together and continued to share and support those who have or are looking to open their homes. Billy-Jo was joined by Safe families’ colleagues as we continue to work together in a merged organisation. Our thanks go to Basingstoke Baptist for having us and gifting us lunch. We have 3 families now journeying towards fostering and 2 toward adoption.

We also heard from Fiona Eve who shared about therapeutic parenting and trauma informed practise. It was a very special time together.

Due to the success of this event we do hope to plan more across the region, if you are a church, part of a church network or interested in hearing more please do book a speaker https://homeforgood.org.uk/resource/book-a-speaker?

Highlights

Billy-Jo has supported ‘Services day’ with West Sussex fostering and was there to see the honouring of the Champion carers who have passed the 20 years fostering milestone, a privilege to be there.

Billy-Jo was invited to the National launch of the Fostering film in a local cinema, with volunteer carers at the invitation of the Head of fostering.

Billy-Jo has enjoyed supporting church speaking engagements from a ladies breakfast, Speaking engagements in churches across Ashford, Hampshire, Kent, Horsham.

What’s coming up

• Information session online
• Foundations course online
• Belonging Course

Are there any events happening soon that I can attend?

https://homeforgood.org.uk/events/crawley-vision-event

Safe Families and Home for Good will be present at Spring harvest Minehead and Skegness!– do come along to our seminars or chat to us at our stand.

Peer support groups updates

I am pleased to share our current peer support groups that are led by registered volunteers:

• Farnham – Run by Louise- two different groups running. Email Louise for more information about when and where these run [email protected]
• North Hampshire - Run by Earl and a small team Email Earl for more details [email protected]
• Kent – run by Debbie. Email Debbie for more information [email protected]
• Chichester - run by Andrew for adoptive families [email protected]
• West Sussex – Run by Lucy, Sarah and Graham [email protected]
• Isle of Wight in Ryde – monthly group run by Lucy and her family [email protected]

If you are running a peer support group and would like to join the Home for Good network, or if you were part of the network in the past but do not have a @local.homeforgood email address, please contact Billy-Jo to have this set up in line with the new volunteer regulations. Being part of the network allows us to signpost enquirers and others seeking a peer network and support directly to your group.

What's coming up?

• Children across the region unable to stay locally due to no homes available.
• New volunteers for Peer Support and Support group leaders
• Vision events planning, resourcing and connecting for Bognor and Littlehampton in west Sussex
• For Billy-Jo as she transitions into a new role as Church and Communities Relationship Team Leader for London and the South East

What can I be praying for?

We would love you to stand with us in prayer as we continue to work to find a home for every child who needs one in the South East.

• Homes for children who need them and churches to provide support to those caring
• Churches to explore becoming a Home for Good church
• Peer Support Groups especially for those areas we need volunteers to open up and lead them

How do I get in touch with a member of the Home for Good team?

Billy-Jo O'Leary Church and Communities Relationship Team Leader for London and the South East

[email protected]

Tel: 07586 688054