When parents can't cope children suffer, the impact of which can last a lifetime.
For the last 25 years, local Home-Start volunteers have been offering emotional and practical support to Birmingham families.
Why? Because parenting can be hard for so many reasons. From dealing with poverty and isolation to poor mental health and relationship breakdowns. All these issues can affect a parent's ability to cope.
And this is where Home-Start steps in.
Our volunteers offer a mixture of practical and emotional, non-judgmental support, for however long a family needs them. Our volunteers also empower parents to make changes, to forge links in their local community and access specialist services if needed. But more than anything, our volunteers are there as a regular, friendly face, an extra pair of hands and a shoulder to cry on.
A quick guide to becoming a Home-Start visiting volunteer