Appeal launched for Home Support Volunteers as part of Volunteer Week

The charity has a waiting list of parents who are in need of support, friendship and practical help with babies and children under the age of five in their own homes.

As part of Volunteer Week, June 1-7^th, Lagan’s Foundation is looking for volunteers who can travel to Bolton and Oldham as well as Blackburn, Blackpool, Chorley, Crosby, Lancaster and Preston.

For families caring for a child with congenital heart disease or complex feeding difficulties, life can be relentless. The respite offered by Lagan’s Foundation is often the only help available.

Full training is given and the support more often than not involves playing with the child while the parents get some rest.

Mackenzie Gill has been a home support volunteer for nearly three years. After moving from Canada where she had worked as a registered nurse, she started a new job as a corporate event co-ordinator but still wanted to find a volunteer role.

The 26-year-old said: “I wanted to do something healthcare related and I loved working with children. My younger brother had health needs and I remember my mum always said she wished she had help from someone. When I came across Lagan’s, it was the perfect fit.”

Mackenzie has been visiting three-year-old Amira at her home in Old Trafford for two hours every Saturday since October 2024.

She said: “At first, she wasn’t very engaging with anyone and didn’t like to be touched. For the first six months I played with her brother who was year older. Then in the last year, she has become more open to being held which has been exciting to see.”

Amira was born with a complex heart condition and needed heart surgery when she was born. She now has been complex health needs. She is deaf, visually impaired, she can’t sit up unaided, crawl or walk.

Mackenzie added: “During my time with the family, I have built a good relationship with mum. Before I started, she couldn’t get a break or even leave the house. I can now offer her real respite, to do whatever she chooses from cooking to taking a nap, while I play with the children.”

Mackenzie is due to return to Canada shortly and would recommend home support volunteering to everyone.

She said: “I feel it is really important to do something that isn’t just for yourself. Everything these days is self-centred so this is an opportunity to do something for someone else.

“Two hours is not too much of a commitment and it feels good knowing you are helping someone else. It was nice to be able to play and support both children as often the sibling thinks everything is just for the one who has health needs.”

Amira’s mum Sunna said: ”We would like to sincerely thank Lagan’s Foundation for providing care for Amira. Also a special thank you to Mackenzie, whose kindness, patience, and care have been wonderful for both Amira and her brother.

“Her weekly support has allowed us to do things that we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to do, especially as we had no family around to help. Her support has made a meaningful difference to our family and is truly appreciated. ”

For further information on how to become a volunteer, log onto https://lagans.org.uk/as-a-volunteer/