You don't need to be a super nanny to help parents with young children. If you've got through the early days, why not volunteer your experience to help someone else?

Real people with real parenting experience can make a real difference to families in need

Home-Start and leading volunteer recruitment charity TimeBank have joined forces to encourage more people to become Home-Start home visiting volunteers.

Our Real Parents campaign is launched for Mothering Sunday (26 March 2006).

A new survey commissioned for the campaign reveals 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.

The survey also 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%).

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."

Read more about our survey results and which celebrities are supporting our campaign.

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

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