I have just joined the Family Grapevine group. I left the corporate world in 2014 to be a stay at home Mum to my two daughters and now the youngest is about to start school I am excited to be embarking on a new challenge. I've always used the magazine to find the best classes, events and days out for our family and now I'm really excited to make the Thames South West edition an invaluable resource for the community. The fact that I can do something really worthwhile without missing out on time with my own family is the…

My background is in the travel industry. I spent 20 years working in various tour operators, travelling the world and having a great time! However it didn't work terribly well with a young family and so I cast around for another career. Quite by chance the Mid Sussex Family Grapevine was recommended to me as a great place to advertise to families. At that point I realised that there were many other Family Grapevines and it was possible to buy a franchise. The rest they say is history. I published the Eastbourne, Wealden & Lewes edition for 9 years and…

I joined the Family Grapevine group in July 2013. After having worked with children for many years, I was looking for a new challenge and joining the Family Grapevine seemed perfect. It was something that combined the 2 subjects I had been passionate about in my school days - childcare and computers. Having used my local Family Grapevine as my bible of local activities, groups etc over the years myself, I already knew what a fantastic magazine it was and I was excited to be able to help others use it in the same way. What I didn't know before…

When I moved to Reigate with my young son in 1995 I found it very hard to find the help and support we needed and also to find the various activities my son wanted to try, I thought other parents might be in the same position so a friend (Sheridan) and I went about collecting lots of information and we published it in the first Family Grapevine magazine. The feedback we got when the magazine was distributed was great. We realised that we were onto something good for all parents and for the local businesses trying to reach those parents.…

I joined the group in 2012 having recently taken redundancy from the civil service after 15 years and wanted a job that fitted in better with my young family. A friend was selling the magazine and I thought it would be perfect! A new challenge, working from home with hours to suit my family. Three years on I now have magazines in two areas and absolutely love it. All the editors support each other including the very supportive directors who are very passionate about the group!  Areas – Bromley and Croydon and Sutton What are you most proud of achieving as a…

I joined in 2004 having spotted an advert in the local Tumble Tots magazine. I realised immediately that there was a need for just this kind of information to be freely available in this area and I felt my skills matched up well with those needed to produce a magazine so I went for it. I'm a keen organiser, fast typist, love playing with graphics on a computer and above all I love working from home. I'd never sold anything in my life, but was willing to give it a try and with Head Office's software and help I soon…

I have only just joined the Family Grapevine, but have been given a very warm welcome and so far I am not having any second thoughts! I have been working from home for the last three years editing, proofreading and copywriting, and have also set up social media sites and contributed content online and in local publications, so my previous role was not a million miles from what I expect I will be doing now. I have been used to writing about property and property prices in East London, so the focus of the Family Grapevine will be a nice…

I have been working with The Family Grapevine in a number of roles from distribution, Desktop Publishing and as a caretaker editor for a number of areas. Since Rachel has left Southampton, Eastleigh and Waterside I have taken this area on as a caretaker editor and will give it my all as while I am in that role it is my area and I will be proud of it. Area - Southampton, Eastleigh and Waterside What are you most proud of achieving as a part of the Family Grapevine group? The varied roles that I have played in the Family Grapevine, helping…

I joined the Family Grapevine group in 2012 because I was looking for a self-employed career that would allow me to work from home while my son was little. Also, as a parent, I really enjoyed reading my local Grapevine and found it terribly useful. After my son was born I volunteered on my local NCT Committee and was editor of their magazine for about a year before deciding to apply to buy a Grapevine franchise. I love being part of the Family Grapevine Group. Everyone is very friendly and there's a lot of sharing ideas and information with other…