Meet the mascots of Home-Start Wokingham District.  You can find the Staff further down the page.

Sparkle the Unicorn

Sparkle loves being out and about at community events and fundraising activities. She enjoys meeting new people, joining in the fun and posing for plenty of photos. Most importantly Sparkle loves helping raise money and awareness for Home-Start so we can continue supporting local families.

Stompy the Dinosaur

Stompy loves having fun and getting involved in community events and fundraising activities. He is always up for a dance, a high five or a fundraising challenge. Stompy loves meeting our supporters and helping bring people together while raising vital funds for Home-Start.

Meet the staff of Home-Start Wokingham District.  You can find the Trustees further down the page.

Kate Lang

Operations Manager

I joined Home-Start in May 2025, bringing over 15 years of experience in project and financial management, community engagement, and team leadership across the private, public and non-profit sectors.

It’s a privilege to work alongside such a passionate and dedicated team, all united by a shared commitment to supporting families through the often challenging early years of parenthood.

As a mother of three, I know just how overwhelming those early days can be. Thats why I’m proud to be part of an organisation that provides vital, compassionate support when families need it most.

Katy McQuilkin

Scheme Co-ordinator

I first joined Home Start as volunteer in November 2022. As an Early Years Teacher for 20 years I recognise the importance the first years of life make in a child’s development. I was thrilled to joined the team as a Scheme Co-ordinator in May 2024 because I wanted to work with families to help give their children the best start in life.

Leanne Hill

Scheme Co-ordinator

I joined Home-Start Wokingham as a volunteer in September 2017 when my children started school, which gave me a great insight into the diverse needs of the families we support. In November 2020, I joined as a Scheme Coordinator, having come from a background in the emergency services, children’s safeguarding and a short time working in education. I really enjoy meeting and working with our families and our lovely volunteers, and seeing the difference that Home-Start support can make.

Jules West

Fundraising and Engagement Coordinator

Jessica Searle

Co-Chair

I am thrilled to have joined Home Start Wokingham District as a trustee, bringing nearly 10 years’ experience in the world of third sector income generation back to a local level, supporting families and their children in the area I am lucky enough to call home. Home-Start Wokingham provides a unique service to families within the Borough and with increasing financial pressures and cuts to services I’m thrilled to be part of the journey of scaling our income to meet the needs of more families who rely on us for support. Away from the world of numbers, data, bids and funding proposals, I live locally with my soon to be husband and our energetic but loveable Goldendoodle, Marmaduke, and can often be found chasing him across parks and fields around the Borough!

Paul Armitage

Co-Chair

I am a recently retired technical and general manager, with long-standing volunteer and trustee experience. I came across Home-Start through my volunteering work with St Paul’s Church in Wokingham. I was really impressed with the approach Home-Start takes and its hardworking staff and volunteers, so when the opportunity arose to apply to be a Trustee, I jumped at it. Fortunately, I was accepted! Having seen the impact that mental health issues and isolation can have on my own family, I am very motivated to contribute to Home-Start’s success in any way I can.

Chris Jack

Trustees

I am a semi-retired Project Director with over 35 years of airline and general management experience, recently returned to the UK after working abroad on major airport development projects. I joined Home-Start in 2020 because with a social worker in our family who specialises in dealing with teenagers, I understand just how important the early years are in shaping a child’s character, their education and their future.

Athena Guna

Treasurer

I am a mum to two girls, Asia (15) and Arya (11 going on 21!) and husband Vem. I am a qualified accountant working within the VAT team at Reckitt. I spend my spare time in the garden resuscitating and willing the plants to live. I’m thrilled to be able to make a contribution to Home-Start Wokingham’s great work.

Tricia Cannam

Trustee

I worked as a Primary school teacher in Bracknell for about twenty years. On retirement I was looking to do some Voluntary work and felt that Home-Start was a good fit for my skills, having worked with young children for so many years and having brought up three children of my own. I volunteered with Home-Start, supporting a family with a disabled child for nearly three years before becoming a Trustee in 2018. I currently chair the Staffing committee and the Quality Assurance committee.

Anne Laleman

Trustee

As a mum of three three ‘kids’ who are all now adults, I need no convincing of the value of the early years. I work as an entrepreneur and have also co-founded a Gambian soccer academy charity. I enjoy running and run regular half marathons, including the Wokingham one. I joined Home-Start Wokingham as a Trustee in 2024 and aim to add value by combining my project management, with environmental and banking experience.

Kevin McGill

Trustee

I am a father to three adult sons so I know all about the challenges of family life. I’ve spent my career in IT Sales and my weekends playing or watching football. I’m a massive Lincoln City fan and currently coach the Soccer School at Ashridge Park on Saturdays. I also volunteer at First Days in Wokingham. I wanted to be a trustee of Home-Start because I’m very passionate about the Wokingham area and giving back to our community.

Prahlad Koti

Trustee

Prahlad is a Trustee at Home-Start Wokingham District, bringing over 30 years of experience in technology and digital transformation to support the charity's mission. He is currently Founder & Director of Tetrom Ltd, a consultancy for scaleups. His career includes senior leadership roles as UK Managing Director at Mastek, Partner at Netcompany, and COO at Scrumconnect, working across both private and public sector organisations. He holds an MBA from London Business School and a First Class Distinction degree in Computer Science.

Prahlad joined the Board of Trustees because he believes charities like Home-Start can achieve significantly more impact by making smarter use of technology. He is particularly keen to help the organisation scale sustainably — strengthening its digital foundations, streamlining operations, and freeing up more time and resources for frontline family support.

Paul Wesley

Trustee

I was delighted to become a Trustee of Home-Start Wokingham following a 40 year career in Human Resources. I hope that my experience will help me to contribute effectively to an amazing charity. Having grown up in difficult circumstances myself, I am very passionate about ensuring families with young children get the support they might need during challenging times. I live just outside Wokingham with my wife and our ex-Guide Dog, Otley, who is also very much enjoying his retirement. Now that my own children have flown the nest I spend my time, aside from continuing to work, watching and playing (when my ageing knees allow it) sport, practicing yoga (and my wife would say I need lots of practice) and travelling as much as possible.

Gina Outram

Trustee

I’m a retired nurse, and I spent forty years working in the NHS, caring for people from all walks of life.

I’m also a mum to two grown-up children and a proud grandmother to five lively grandchildren. Our family wouldn’t be complete without our four dogs, so gatherings at our house are always full of laughter, noise and a bit of lovely chaos!

My main area of expertise has always been neonatal care, supporting families and their babies who arrive a little early or need extra help at the start of life.

When I was working at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, I saw first-hand how wonderful Home-start’s support can be for families, especially when they’re making the big transition from a long hospital stay to finally bringing their baby home.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting families during some of their most challenging moments, and it’s shown me just how important a caring hand and practical help can be. I truly believe that sometimes all it takes is someone to listen and offer encouragement, especially when parents are adjusting to life with a newborn after a tough start. I’m passionate about helping families feel confident and supported, and making sure they have the resources they need to flourish.

I feel genuinely honoured to be asked to join Home-start WD as a Trustee. Having seen first-hand the dedication of the Homestart staff and volunteers, I’m excited to play my part in making sure this wonderful support continues to make a difference for families in our local area.

Amanda Kenwrick

Trustee

A mum to 2 adult sons who had left home, I took early retirement from being a registered Childminder and embraced a volunteer role with Home Start, supporting families in a variety of ways but always looking to help children to thrive and be given stability for the time the support is in place and beyond.
 
Prior to childminding I was a Police Officer which gave me lifelong skills within my working, volunteering and social life.
 
Being a supportive part of the community is important to me so taking up a Trustee role whilst remaining a family support volunteer extends the opportunity to make a difference, channelling my experience
and passion for the support of children and families within the Early Years sector .
 
When not volunteering I am a keen (amateur!) gardener, reader, dog walker and drummer (for my ears only!)

Kath Farrar

Trustee

I am a mum to two grown-up sons and a proud grandma to my grandson, Elliott. My husband and I enjoy travelling and discovering new places whenever we can.

I have worked in a variety of early years settings, including preschools, as a childminder, and as an Early Years Practitioner in nursery and reception classes at a local school.

I firmly believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life. After taking early retirement, I was keen to undertake voluntary work and felt that Home-Start was a perfect fit for my skills and experience. As a Home-Start home-visiting volunteer, I have seen first-hand the difference that practical and emotional support can make to families. I am delighted to bring my early years expertise to my role as a trustee and to support Home-Start’s work helping children and families thrive.

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