Over the last few weeks, we have been celebrating Black History Month across our social media platforms. To recognise and raise awareness of the month, we have been sharing what some of our Black families, volunteers, and staff from across the Home-Start London network have told us they are #ProudToBe as part of the chosen theme for #BHM2021.
Our hope was that their stories would give us the opportunity to reflect on the contributions made by Black people across the Home-Start network. We hoped their pride would uplift, inspire, give us pause, time to reflect and ultimately, help us strengthen the support network we are for those families who need us most.
To celebrate the final week, we are sharing Shauntel’s story. Shauntel is both a volunteer AND a member for staff for Home-Start Barnet, Brent, Enfield and Harrow, and here she tells us what she is #ProudToBe:
“I am proud to be not just a Home-Start volunteer but also a member of staff. I am particularly proud that I have had the opportunity to volunteer and work with Harrow children centres. I am proud that I’ve been able to help and support families and children through difficult times, as I myself have experienced that and know just how hard it can be.
I am proud to be the mother to my children I am today, through the amazing and even the hard times, through sleepless nights and the laughter.
I am also proud to a creative person with an eye for design and detail.
I am proud to work with Home-Start. I have been able to support and help so many children and families and see how much they have been able to grow and progress during that period. I am happy that I am able to give my time to support as many people as I can.
I am proud to be a black woman. I am proud to be a mother of 2. I am proud to be me.”
The Home-Start family is made up of many stories and we hope our families, volunteers, staff, and trustees throughout Black History Month have inspired you to continue following along with us to hear more of them.
If you have any questions about our work, services, or people, please contact us here.
