Kim Shirley

I have been at Home Start Newark for 14 years as the Administrator and Fundraiser. Prior to my time at Home Start I worked for a security company for 12 years starting as a credit controller and finishing my career there as PA to the Service Manager before leaving to have a family. My job at Home Start is varied and I really enjoy supporting the staff and Trustees.

Contact Details

Monday 8.30-4.45pm, Tuesday 8.45am-4pm, Wednesday 8.30am-4pm and Thursday 8.45am-3.45pm.
Mobile Number: 07435 939713

Sara Grant

I started at Home-Start Newark in January 2012 as a Coordinator, recruiting and training volunteers and working with them to support families. Before this I’ve mostly worked in the voluntary sector, with Women’s Aid in Scotland and with Family First (in their mental health service) in Nottingham and for BEST (in training/careers advice/student support) in Broxtowe. I became Manager of our scheme in 2019. I love working for Home-Start; enabling families to move forward through difficult times, and I am humbled everyday by the generosity and compassion of our wonderful volunteers.

Contact Details

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am until 5.30pm.
Mobile Number: 07435 948612

Claire Neal

I started working for Home-Start Newark in July 2022 after completing my Social Work Degree. I was employed on a part-time basis to pilot a new role as a Family Support Co-ordinator covering Ollerton, Boughton and Bilsthorpe. My role includes interviewing, training and supporting volunteers during their time with Home-Start. My role also includes some direct support to families that may have more complex issues. Although my role can be challenging at times, I thoroughly enjoy seeing families progress and grow from the support Home-Start offers.

Contact Details

Monday, Tuesday and Friday 9am until 3pm. 3.30pm until 4pm.
Mobile Number: 07519 325203

Emma Fish

I have recently joined the Homestart Newark Family as a Family support coordinator. Prior to this role and ongoing currently I am a volunteer for Homestart Nottingham. I have been a volunteer for 2.5 years and enjoy giving something back to the community in this way. I love to support people and help them find the best possible ways to get the most from their daily lives. Raising two children myself I understand the trials and tribulations life can throw in the mix, from the bad and ugly to the absolutely awesome. I believe the Homestart Ethos complements my own and that’s why I already love this role.

Contact Details

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9am-3.30pm.
Mobile Number: 07435 940814

Michelle Bentley

I started working for Home Start in 2020 as the Group Children's Worker. I am a qualified Teaching Assistant and have worked at various schools in Newark with children from Nursery to the age of 11. I have worked with individual children who have special needs and groups of children as well. I am able to use my experience to support the children at Family Group. I thoroughly enjoy my time working with the children and parents, watching the children's development and confidence grow.

Sally Banton

I'm thrilled to have joined the Home-Start Newark team, focusing on fundraising and income generation. With over 20 years of experience in the charity sector, I'm passionate about making a real difference. My primary focus will be on securing funding bids and developing corporate partnerships. However, I'm always open to hearing your innovative ideas for raising vital funds for this incredible charity. I deeply admire Home-Start's ethos and am excited to contribute to their impactful journey.

Terry O’Dea

I worked in the food industry for over 40 years mostly in technical roles but for the last 4 years headed up Corporate Social Responsibility which included managing the companies’ charity commitments. When I retired in 2011I wanted to keep active and felt volunteering provided a means of fitting this in with my plans for the future.. To be honest I had not heard of Home-Start but called into the office in Newark and was impressed by the work being done in the community. I signed up for the volunteers’ course which was excellent preparation for the challenges ahead. After a couple of years I was asked to join the Trustee Board and appointed Chair in October 2013. There have been difficult times but the positive changes to so many families lives is rewarding. And yes, my volunteer work and subsequent trustee commitments have fitted well into full time retirement.

Karen Southern

Karen is currently Director of Accounting and Operational Finance with Macmillan and has recently worked with gambling addiction charity Gordon Moody Association. She has 20 years experience in senior finance roles in construction materials companies Tarmac, Hope Construction Materials and Breedon Group Plc. Passionate about supporting others and encouraging business leaders to use their transferable skills to support the charitable sector she joined Homestart Newark as a Trustee and Treasurer in January 2020. Karen is mother to two boys and enjoys walking and running in her spare time.

Howard Lockwood

As a young man I worked in industry for 10 years and in my spare time I helped to run Methodist youth clubs. This included being co – leader of a "skinhead youth club" in the late 1960s.

From these experiences I applied to become a probation officer and worked for the next 29 years in the Probation Service as a practitioner and all levels of management. I have my family nearby in Nottingham and four grandchildren that I adore.

I wanted to get involved in a local charity and Home-Start seems to fit my needs. I have a range of skills and I think I have a forte in organising people, committees and events. I am a team player as well as being able to work alone. I have considerable experience in working in partnership with other organisations. The most important thing for me in life is to try to make a difference and offer help where it requested and needed. I think I can do that through Home-Start both as a trustee and a volunteer.

Jane Geraghty

I was appointed Chief Officer of Nottinghamshire Probation in April 2005. Prior to this, I held the post of Chief Probation Officer at Humberside from May 2000. Previously, I was Deputy Chief Officer at the West Midlands Probation Service and carried out duties as an Assistant Chief Probation Officer from 1989 to 1998 at the Home Office, the Inner London Probation Service and the South Yorkshire Service. I also worked as a Probation Officer at Middlesex and Nottingham and as a Senior Probation Officer at Lincolnshire. Overall my career in Probation started in 1974 and spans 40 years.

I became a Trustee of Home-Start Newark; I was appointed Chair in October 2011

Lucy Day

I have spent many years working within large corporate organisations, where I have built extensive experience managing strategic accounts across both the public and private sectors. I currently oversee high-value contracts with complex needs and commitments, and I am passionate about building strong, trusted relationships that drive sustainable growth.

I was keen to take on a trustee role where I could share the skills and insight I have gained to support a charity close to my heart. Home-Start immediately resonated with me due to its focus on supporting families within my own community. As a mum of a young child, I also bring my lived experience of parenthood, which I believe enables me to contribute meaningfully and with empathy to the charity’s work.

Sue Smith

I am a Solicitor, now largely retired although I do undertake some locum advisory and consultancy work. I’m married with a son and daughter. I’ve been involved with charity work since 2003 in various capacities. I’m a keen runner and have run London marathon the great north run several times and am a distance swimmer. I also practice yoga.

Professionally my skills are in the legal procurement compliance and governance arena.