Ways to volunteer - other helping hands From play groups to fundraising balls and social events, there are many opportunities for willing hands. Expand Many local Home-Starts run additional services to support their work, such as: playgroups, toy libraries, specialist groups for single dads, breastfeeding mums, or families affected by postnatal depression, healthy eating sessions, social activities like trips to parks, farms or the seaside, cinema nights, and more, helping with fundraising - from quiz nights, crochet sessions and raffles to toddle-a-thons or glitzy fundraising balls, drivers for families who are stuck without transport, and so much more It may also be that you can volunteer in a way that your local Home-Start hasn't thought about yet! So if you want to get involved, get in touch and let us know what you have in mind.
What if I’ve got a worry or complaint about my support? Expand First, contact someone in the office of your local Home-Start - we hope they’ll be able to put your mind to rest. If you want to take your worry on to a formal complaint, you should ask your local Home-Start about their complaints policy. This is usually handled independently by the trustees of your local Home-Start and follows national guidelines for investigating and making a decision.Because of the legal and charitable structure of Home-Start (each Home-Start is an independent charity), Home-Start UK is not able to make decisions on complaints about local Home-Starts.
What if there is no Home-Start near me? Expand There are over 200 Home-Starts working in communities across the UK. Sometimes we cover whole counties, but there are some places where there is no local Home-Start support. If you are not close enough to our support, we'd still like to try to help a little by giving you a list of resources and links to other organisations who might be able to support you. If you are interested in setting up a Home-Start in your community, please contact Home-Start UK in Leicester to find out how.
What kind of thing can Home-Start support me with? Expand A Home-Start volunteer can help you through a really wide range of problems and family needs. Since 1973, we have been tailor-making our support to help families with twins or triplets, where there is bereavement or illness, disability or addiction, or where there is mental ill health, or money or housing problems. In most cases, we help where families feel isolated and have no-one nearby to help. Hear from some of the families we have supported.
Will I have to pay for support? Expand Home-Start’s support is completely free! You will not have to pay for your support from Home-Start - we are a charity and raise funds to be able to support parents and children.