News release
Parents want friendly support, not professional help
Issued: 21 March 2006
A new survey out today reveals that three quarters of parents would seek support from family, friends or neighbours, compared with less than half who would consult professional or official sources like childminders, health visitors or TV programmes.
The research was commissioned to launch the Real Parents campaign to recruit volunteers to support struggling parents, launching this Mother's Day (Sunday 26th March) (1).
It's 2006 - families are geographically distant, and community networking is low, where do you turn to for friendly parenting support?. 'Real Parents' is a unique campaign to encourage people with parenting experience to become home visiting volunteers, offering emotional support and practical help to families who are struggling to cope from volunteering charity TimeBank and national family support charity Home-Start.
Most people find being a parent of young children difficult - more than two thirds said their life was easier before having children, one in four admitted they didn't cope easily and nearly one in five worry that other people are more competent parents. When asked what they found most difficult about being a parent of under 5s, the overwhelming majority - more than a quarter - cited 'lack of sleep', while one in ten said it was 'not having enough time in the day'.
Home-Start volunteers help parents who may be struggling for many reasons; for example, with post-natal depression, multiple births, disabilities, isolation, family breakdown or through becoming parents at a young age. Clinical Psychologist and TV expert, Oliver James, says:
"To offer this sort of friendly and non-judgemental support, Home-Start needs 'real' parents who can relate to the difficulties faced by young families - not 'super nannies' who could be intimidating."
Kara Evans from Birmingham volunteers with Faz, who has recovered from cancer and now has a low immune system. Kara says:
"I've been helping Faz out at home because she's recovering from cancer and feels weak at times. I give practical and emotional support to Faz and her young son, who is 3 ½.
We hit it off immediately. We've only known each other for 18 months but it feels like it's been years. We're very comfortable in each other's company. I don't feel like a volunteer any more - she's a mate.
Going shopping with Faz, playing with her son while she takes a shower or just being there for a chat are all little things that really help take the pressure off."
The survey showed an amazing 98% of people felt they had gained or developed skills as a result of being a parent. The most commonly gained assets were knowledge of health/ safety/ development of young children (93%), listening (90%) and patience (87%). People also said they developed practical skills like budgeting (73%) and housekeeping and cooking skills (64%).
Home-Start volunteers bring all the knowledge they've gained as parents to the families they support, helping to build the confidence of vulnerable parents and encouraging them to manage independently. In return, volunteers feel valued and the experience they gain supporting families can even help them get back to work or change careers.
Celebrity mums Natasha Hamilton and Ulrika Jonnson are supporting the campaign. Ulrika said:
"I'm backing this campaign because I know how valuable the emotional and practical support of a Home-Start volunteer could be to a parent of young children.
Being a parent is one of the toughest jobs in the world - I've certainly had times of doubt and despair when I didn't know which way to turn. But you do get through it and the experience you gain by being a mum or dad is a brilliant asset. Why not share your skills and knowledge with another parent?
By supporting other parents you could help give children the best possible start in life in secure and happy environments."
The survey found that Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan and Jamie and Jools Oliver are the celebrities British parents would most likely turn to for parenting advice or support (2). Each couple received over a quarter of the votes. The Prime Minister and his wife came a close second, with more than one in ten parents saying they would turn to them for support. They were closely followed by Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne (third); David and Victoria Beckham (fourth); Madonna and Guy Ritchie (fifth); Jordan (sixth). "Earth mother" Angelina Jolie (seventh) gained only a third of the votes the unorthodox Osbournes received. Atomic Kitten Kerry Katona (eighth) only managed to scoop 2% of the vote despite having been twice voted celebrity mum of the year. Model Kate Moss (ninth) gained just 1% of the vote.
To find out more about becoming a Home-Start volunteer visit www.realparents.org.uk or call 0845 601 4008 or text 07766 40 41 42.
Ends
For more information, survey results and interviews with spokespeople/ case studies please contact Fiona McBain on 020 7785 6389 or email f.mcbain@timebank.org.uk
Notes to Editors
1) BMRB Omnibus Survey 13th February 2006 commissioned by TimeBank to launch the Real Parents campaign. Sample size 582.
2) When asked to choose which celebrity parents they would be most likely to choose to give them parenting advice or support, people said:
1st Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan: 28%
1st Jamie and Jools Olive: 28%
2nd Tony and Cherie Blair: 12%
3rd Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne: 9%
4th David and Victoria Beckham: 6%
5th Madonna and Guy Ritchie: 5%
6th Jordan: 4%
7th Angelina Jolie: 3%
8th Kerry Katona: 2%
9th Kate Moss: 1%
3) TimeBank is a national charity, inspiring and connecting people to give and share time. See www.timebank.org.uk for more information.
4) Home-Start's informal and friendly support for families with young children provides a lifeline to thousands of parents and children in over 337 communities across the UK and with forces families in Germany and Cyprus. See www.home-start.org.uk for more information.
5) Add your name to our media mailing list and you'll receive regular press releases from TimeBank keeping you updated on new campaigns and activity. Visit our online Media Centre for more information www.timebank.org.uk/mediacentre
6) Campaign web address and text number will be activated w/c 20 March 2006.
A new survey out today reveals that three quarters of parents would seek support from family, friends or neighbours, compared with less than half who would consult professional or official sources like childminders, health visitors or TV programmes.
The research was commissioned to launch the Real Parents campaign to recruit volunteers to support struggling parents, launching this Mother's Day (Sunday 26th March) (1).
It's 2006 - families are geographically distant, and community networking is low, where do you turn to for friendly parenting support?. 'Real Parents' is a unique campaign to encourage people with parenting experience to become home visiting volunteers, offering emotional support and practical help to families who are struggling to cope from volunteering charity TimeBank and national family support charity Home-Start.
Most people find being a parent of young children difficult - more than two thirds said their life was easier before having children, one in four admitted they didn't cope easily and nearly one in five worry that other people are more competent parents. When asked what they found most difficult about being a parent of under 5s, the overwhelming majority - more than a quarter - cited 'lack of sleep', while one in ten said it was 'not having enough time in the day'.
Home-Start volunteers help parents who may be struggling for many reasons; for example, with post-natal depression, multiple births, disabilities, isolation, family breakdown or through becoming parents at a young age. Clinical Psychologist and TV expert, Oliver James, says:
"To offer this sort of friendly and non-judgemental support, Home-Start needs 'real' parents who can relate to the difficulties faced by young families - not 'super nannies' who could be intimidating."
Kara Evans from Birmingham volunteers with Faz, who has recovered from cancer and now has a low immune system. Kara says:
"I've been helping Faz out at home because she's recovering from cancer and feels weak at times. I give practical and emotional support to Faz and her young son, who is 3 ½.
We hit it off immediately. We've only known each other for 18 months but it feels like it's been years. We're very comfortable in each other's company. I don't feel like a volunteer any more - she's a mate.
Going shopping with Faz, playing with her son while she takes a shower or just being there for a chat are all little things that really help take the pressure off."
The survey showed an amazing 98% of people felt they had gained or developed skills as a result of being a parent. The most commonly gained assets were knowledge of health/ safety/ development of young children (93%), listening (90%) and patience (87%). People also said they developed practical skills like budgeting (73%) and housekeeping and cooking skills (64%).
Home-Start volunteers bring all the knowledge they've gained as parents to the families they support, helping to build the confidence of vulnerable parents and encouraging them to manage independently. In return, volunteers feel valued and the experience they gain supporting families can even help them get back to work or change careers.
Celebrity mums Natasha Hamilton and Ulrika Jonnson are supporting the campaign. Ulrika said:
"I'm backing this campaign because I know how valuable the emotional and practical support of a Home-Start volunteer could be to a parent of young children.
Being a parent is one of the toughest jobs in the world - I've certainly had times of doubt and despair when I didn't know which way to turn. But you do get through it and the experience you gain by being a mum or dad is a brilliant asset. Why not share your skills and knowledge with another parent?
By supporting other parents you could help give children the best possible start in life in secure and happy environments."
The survey found that Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan and Jamie and Jools Oliver are the celebrities British parents would most likely turn to for parenting advice or support (2). Each couple received over a quarter of the votes. The Prime Minister and his wife came a close second, with more than one in ten parents saying they would turn to them for support. They were closely followed by Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne (third); David and Victoria Beckham (fourth); Madonna and Guy Ritchie (fifth); Jordan (sixth). "Earth mother" Angelina Jolie (seventh) gained only a third of the votes the unorthodox Osbournes received. Atomic Kitten Kerry Katona (eighth) only managed to scoop 2% of the vote despite having been twice voted celebrity mum of the year. Model Kate Moss (ninth) gained just 1% of the vote.
To find out more about becoming a Home-Start volunteer visit www.realparents.org.uk or call 0845 601 4008 or text 07766 40 41 42.
Ends
For more information, survey results and interviews with spokespeople/ case studies please contact Fiona McBain on 020 7785 6389 or email f.mcbain@timebank.org.uk
Notes to Editors
1) BMRB Omnibus Survey 13th February 2006 commissioned by TimeBank to launch the Real Parents campaign. Sample size 582.
2) When asked to choose which celebrity parents they would be most likely to choose to give them parenting advice or support, people said:
1st Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan: 28%
1st Jamie and Jools Olive: 28%
2nd Tony and Cherie Blair: 12%
3rd Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne: 9%
4th David and Victoria Beckham: 6%
5th Madonna and Guy Ritchie: 5%
6th Jordan: 4%
7th Angelina Jolie: 3%
8th Kerry Katona: 2%
9th Kate Moss: 1%
3) TimeBank is a national charity, inspiring and connecting people to give and share time. See www.timebank.org.uk for more information.
4) Home-Start's informal and friendly support for families with young children provides a lifeline to thousands of parents and children in over 337 communities across the UK and with forces families in Germany and Cyprus. See www.home-start.org.uk for more information.
5) Add your name to our media mailing list and you'll receive regular press releases from TimeBank keeping you updated on new campaigns and activity. Visit our online Media Centre for more information www.timebank.org.uk/mediacentre
6) Campaign web address and text number will be activated w/c 20 March 2006.
