Home-Start offers befriending support along with practical and emotional advice in the homes of families who are having difficulties managing parenting for a variety of different reasons.
Home-Start believes that children need a happy, secure childhood and that parents play the key role in giving their children a good start in life and helping them achieve their full potential. Even the most dedicated parents can face challenges that prevent them doing all they want for their children.
Our committed and caring volunteers, usually parents themselves, offer friendship and informal support to parents with young children. They visit families at home and are friendly, approachable people who respect the needs of each individual family.
We offer help through a combination of home-visiting support, group work, buggy walks, video or telephone support and counselling.
Home-Start has a proven, lasting, positive impact on the development of children and the health and welfare of the family.
To Home-Start every family is unique and special and we respond to each family’s needs through different projects involving a combination of home-visiting and telephone support, groups and counselling.
Home-visiting support consists of 2-3 hours a week by a volunteer who is normally a parent themselves – families are matched with a volunteer on the basis of level of need and the availability of a suitable volunteer.
We support parents as they grow in confidence, strengthen their relationships with their children and widen their links with their community.