10:00am Thursday 9th September 2010
AS old age creeps up, many grandmas would be happy to put their feet up and enjoy their retirement.
Pat Newton is not one of those people, though, and is instead viewed as a fairy godmother to new parents struggling to cope with the demands of raising children.
The 73-year-old has spent 16 years working for the Colchester branch of Home-Start, a charity which helps families with children under five who are experiencing difficulties in their lives.
Despite being a mother of four and a grandmother to nine, Pat finds time to visit two young families each week, as well as help out as an administrator in the charity’s office, in Harwich Road.
She was hailed for her dedication at a surprise party organised by colleagues at the Ormiston Centre, off School Road, Monkwick.
The former foster mother and nursery nurse, from Lawford, said she gained great satisfaction from her role.
“I know how I struggled when I had my children and how lonely I was,” Pat explained. “I want to help other people overcome that.
“It’s also a lifesaver for me, as I now live on my own and enjoy the company of other people.
“It’s difficult bringing up children and many of the parents are on their own. It’s a very lonely life at times.
“They may have a partner in the Army, or moved away from their family.
“It’s amazing what a difference a two or three-hour visit can make. It’s satisfying to feel you have made a difference.”
Pat said her work often included caring for the children while exhausted parents take a break, or talking to mothers suffering from post-natal depression.
She has even been known to help out with a spot of housework.
She added: “We’re not supposed to, but if you are feeling depressed and have piles of ironing and washing, if it can be cleared for a little while, you can feel better.”
Of the 40 families she has transformed, some have needed her golden touch for months, others for years.
They are most often referred by doctors, social workers or home visitors, but families can also make contact with the charity themselves.
Heidi Kimber, who was helped by Pat when her youngest son was born and is now the Colchester branch’s senior co-ordinator, said: “She’s one of the most caring, compassionate people I have ever met in my entire life.
“She does it because she wants to. She likes being with children and helping families.
“My youngest son cried continuously for the first six months.
“Pat came in for a couple of hours so I could get some sleep. It made a complete difference to me. When we looked into how long our volunteers had been with the scheme, no one had done the length of service Pat had. We felt it was time to recognise the amount of work she had put in.”
Colchester mayor Sonia Lewis presented Pat with a certificate and book in recognition of her service. She said: “Without volunteers like Pat, the community wouldn’t exist.”
Anyone interested in volunteering for Home-Start can call 01206 396628.
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