January 1, 1970

The establishment of Home-Start UK

‘My Fellowship gave me a way of life’ says Margaret Harrison, reflecting on the profound consequences of her travels to the USA in 1973. As a voluntary worker in what was then the Children’s Department of the City of Leicester, UK, Margaret had a growing sense that the families of vulnerable children required intensive help and support. She went on to volunteer in other settings such as playgroups, schools and a Family Service Unit, where her discussions with the health, education and social work professionals she met convinced her that a new approach was needed. Inspired by the methods and results she observed during her Fellowship, Margaret returned home to Leicester to establish Home-Start. Forty years later, Home-Start UK is the nation’s leading family support organisation, with nearly 16,000 volunteers helping more than 32,000 families every year – giving over one million hours of their time. Home-Start now operates in twenty two countries and on five continents across the world. Margaret is still involved as a Life President and in 2003 was awarded a CBE in recognition of her work for the community. Following her retirement, she served on the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Advisory Council.

Find out more about Margaret’s story here.