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

Recent highlights

In Littlehampton, we are partnering with a local church to develop an in-house Peer Support Group. This journey began with my visit over the summer, where I shared the vision and worked alongside the church to identify families who are fostering, adopting, or providing kinship care. Since then, we’ve met twice as a small group and are now in the process of onboarding volunteers to lead the group. Together with the Families Worker and church leadership, we are identifying the specific needs of these families and planning how best to support them in the coming months. This new support group will complement the church’s existing life groups.

The best news is hearing that individuals I’ve inspired have been approved as carers—stories like these continue to happen across our work. I’ve also had the privilege of meeting several families who opened their homes years ago when Home for Good first began. Their stories are always uplifting, especially during these dark, rainy evenings.

We remain committed to supporting those considering fostering or adoption through online courses, speaking engagements, and answering their questions as they explore this calling. Recently, we had the opportunity to share Home for Good’s vision and highlight the fostering needs in West Sussex and PACT for adoption with Horsham Churches Together.

If you’re connected to a church leaders’ unity group or know of one that meets regularly, I would love to be introduced to them to share more about this work.

Finally, it’s been exciting to hear responses from the previous Regional Update. I’ve enjoyed connecting with readers, learning their stories, and helping signpost them toward their next steps.

Volunteers Update

I regularly engage with volunteers on a daily and weekly basis, supporting them in their areas of interest. Most recently, I assisted volunteers across West Sussex who led a vision and information session. Additionally, I had the privilege of attending the launch of a national fostering video, Everything, alongside the West Sussex Fostering Recruitment Team. The event brought together volunteers, church leaders, and others committed to fostering. You can find the video here: https://youtu.be/dMoMyTox82M

Back in September, the Kent Peer Support Group held its first in-person meeting in a long time. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with those involved, hear their stories, and strengthen relationships within the group. I’ve also been working to introduce Safe Families colleagues and other volunteers to key interest areas, including Kent. The Peer Support Group in Kent is planning to meet online in early December.

As of now, I’ve completed one informal interview and have three more scheduled with prospective new volunteers before Christmas. I’m excited to welcome these individuals to our growing team.

I’m incredibly grateful for the dedication and support of all our peer volunteers, Champion volunteers, and Peer Support Group volunteers—you are truly amazing. Thank you for everything you do!

Peer support groups

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 there is an upcoming Christmas event. Email Earl for more details [email protected]
• Kent – run by Debbie. Email Debbie for more information about plans into the New Year [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 – run by Lucy and her family monthly [email protected]

Other peer to peer support networks are also emerging and we hope to have registered support groups with registered volunteers over 2025 -

• Gosport
• Worthing
• Crawley
• Winchester
• Guildford
• Ashford
• Southampton

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?

• Speaking engagement December 2024 in Billingshurst at a Ladies breakfast
• January 2025 at Singleton Community Church Ashford
• February 2025 at Burton Baptist Petersfield
• North Hampshire peer support group Christmas social
• Who cares campaign continues
• 8th February 2025 South East Conference in Basingstoke

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 in South East England?

Regional Lead for South East of England

Work contact number: 07586 688054

[email protected]