Home-Start Medway’s 2025 AGM
On 15 October 2025, we were delighted to welcome volunteers, staff, funders, stakeholders, families, and special guests, including the Worshipful Mayor of Medway, Trevor Clarke to our Annual General Meeting.
Our CEO, Raz Goodred, reflected on a transformative year defined by growth, resilience, and meaningful impact. With over 615 referrals, our services from home visits and domestic abuse support, to developmental programmes like Tiny Talkers and Little Adventurers, reached hundreds of families across Medway.
The event was filled with energy and connection, including a lively quiz hosted by Mya and Raz that showcased the breadth of Home-Start Medway’s work over the past year.
We celebrated the power of collaboration, extending heartfelt thanks to our dedicated team of 9 staff members, 35 volunteers, and our many partners. Together, we’ve made a real difference.
Highlights from the Year:
- Expansion of group programmes including DA Café, Bloom and Grow, and the Phoenix Programme
- Continued support for Army families at Maidstone and Brompton Barracks
- A growing presence at the One Stop Shop, where we supported 267 individuals affected by domestic abuse
Our 2025 theme: Collaboration — the cornerstone of everything we do. To bring this theme to life, attendees took part in a fun and symbolic team challenge: building the tallest tower using spaghetti and marshmallows in just five minutes! It was a joyful (and slightly chaotic!) reminder that, like families, strong foundations and the right support help us reach new heights.
One of the most moving moments came from women supported by our incredible Domestic Abuse Coordinator, Yvette. Since launching the DA Café last October, Yvette has created a safe space for survivors to connect, heal, and share their stories. Their courageous testimonials brought many to tears and reminded us of the strength it takes to rebuild after trauma — and the power of a supportive community.
We were also honoured to welcome:
- Lucie Green, who gave an insightful and empowering talk on navigating the menopause and its impact on women and families
- The inspirational team from Great Leaps Adventure Centre, who led our Team Building Day and surprised us with a free session for our volunteers — a generous gesture that truly embodied our theme of collaboration
The event concluded with a heartfelt speech from Mayor Trevor Clarke, who praised the vital role Home-Start Medway plays in supporting local families and acknowledged the significant impact of our work.
Thank you to everyone who joined us. Your presence and support help us build a community where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Here’s to another year of working together, lifting each other up, and continuing to build a brighter future — one family at a time.
