Hollie’s Story – Full Circle

Hollie, a parent and now a member of our advisory panel, featured in one of our Stork Stories back in 2022, when she had first received help from us. Since then, her experience has come full circle, with her first role in family support, and becoming a volunteer and advocate for our service.

Hollie first encountered Stripey Stork at a cost-of-living event run by a local family centre. There she was given two of our age-specific activity packs, made by our volunteer team, which are filled with a selection of games, stationery, crafts, self-care items and activities to keep young minds busy.

At the time, Hollie was a single parent to a primary-age son and a teenage daughter. Her daughter, who lives with ASD and anxiety, was out of school, learning at home and facing a long wait for a suitable school place. This meant Hollie was unable to work, and as they were at home together every day, she was facing increasing bills for heating and food. Hollie focused on supporting her daughter. Despite their efforts, being away from friends and peers was very isolating, so the young girl was delighted to find the activity pack we provided was full of many of the things she loves to do, which made her feel cared for, and understood. “It was like it was made for me!,” she told us.

Seeing what an impact this unexpected gift had on her daughter, Hollie reached out to us to let us know. She said that it was clear to her and to both of her children that the packs were made with love.

Their eyes lit up. They’d never had something given to them where it was so clear, someone had really thought about what THEY need.

For Hollie, it was also an unexpected lift

Like a random act of kindness that day. It was unexpected, I didn’t know there was a service that gave out things like that. It made me feel like… Yes, this is going to really help me.

Her younger son also enjoyed exploring his pack. He isn’t a fan of puzzles, so when he discovered one of those in the bag, he chose to pass that on to a neighbour who had been unwell and in and out of hospital recently. We loved hearing about his decision to ‘pay it forward’ with his own act of kindness.

As a result of Hollie reaching out, we were able to give her more information about support available from Stripey Stork, and how to access it. She had been worrying about the rising cost of living, and how it was going to affect her children, so it was a relief to know there are places she could turn for help with clothing and school supplies as her children grew.

I used to be able to keep a little money aside for emergencies,” she told us. “That doesn’t happen now. The gas and electric keep going off, and everything costs more. It’s so hard to find enough money for what the kids need.

It can be difficult to ask for help for your family, or to explain the extent of the challenges you are facing. Hollie told us

It’s especially hard in Surrey, because it’s thought of as quite an affluent area.

Recent evidence that child poverty is rising in some areas of Surrey shows that the impression of Surrey as an ‘affluent county’ is not the lived reality for many children and families. Our own work, and the stories we hear, confirm this.

It can be hard to know where to start to get help when you are not already receiving support from health or social care professionals. Our ‘get help’ page can help to explain the process.

After speaking to us, Hollie and her daughter offered to give some feedback on some of our teen packs, and our service. Shortly after that, she became a member of our advisory panel, using her lived experience to help us help others.

When I was offered the opportunity to join the Advisory Panel, I felt honoured. I already loved the organisation’s values and the way they genuinely help families.

In 2023, Hollie was with us when we welcomed presenter Charlotte Hawkins to our warehouse as part of the Baby Bank On Us campaign, and spoke openly about her experience in the national news.

Her journey then came full circle in 2024, when she went on to work for a parent wellbeing service, where she regularly referred families to Stripey Stork. She describes the experience of being able to help other parents.

It felt deeply important, to understand “it’s ok not be ok sometimes” and help remove shame that’s embedded in some families. I understood exactly what those families were going through because I had been there myself.

Today, as well as serving on our advisory panel, Hollie is part of the Domestic Abuse Surrey Expert by Experience Network (DA Seen), and through a referral to us, helped to support survivors with specially designed trauma care packs. She is completing her University degree, and volunteers with us regularly in the warehouse, making up bundles for children and families. Her daughter, now 17, comes in with her, and they are both enjoying being part of the team.

Coming into the warehouse to volunteer, with my daughter by my side, has been especially powerful. Seeing the love and care that goes into every referral shows how deeply Stripey Stork values families. It is not just about items, it is about dignity, compassion, and community.

We’re so grateful to Hollie and her family for sharing their experiences with us, encouraging other families to ask for help, and for helping us show the impact of the funding and donations provided by the community who support us, too.

Do you have a family feedback story to share? Get in touch with us by emailing communications@stripeystork.org.uk.