FAMILY support charity Home-Start Winchester is saying goodbye to co-ordinator Anne Macpherson who retired at the end of April.

Anne was the first co-ordinator of the new scheme when it started in September 2005 and she had to begin from the ground up recruiting and training volunteers, introducing Home-Start to local organisations and establishing links with referring agencies.

The first five years were so busy that it became clear another Co-ordinator was needed to support Anne.

“We are so lucky to have had Anne as our senior co-ordinator for the last 15 years,” said chairman Liz Cooper. “With great sensitivity and kindness, Anne has engaged with many families who have been in crisis or despair and led our staff team through many changes and ideas for future projects.

“She will be sorely missed by families, staff and trustees. We wish her well in her retirement and we hope very much that she will remain connected to Home-Start Winchester without the responsibilities of the day-to-day management of our busy organisation,” she said.

Anne’s last day was spent in isolation at home but that didn’t stop the arrival of flowers, dozens of cards from families, staff and volunteers, a bottle of bubbly and a collection of over £1,000.

“I leave behind a wonderful group of people, and will definitely stay in touch,” said Anne who described it as “a moving day of farewells,” with her last staff meeting on Zoom gate-crashed by trustees and colleagues eager to say goodbye. A proper farewell celebration will be held once life is back to normal.