Family pressures can sometimes be difficult to manage without emotional and practical support around you.

Home-Start volunteers understand how hard it can be to be a parent. Home visiting volunteers work alongside your family in your home, to help you cope with the stresses and strains of life and make sure you have the skills, confidence and strength they need to nurture your children.

Our specially trained volunteers offer compassionate, non-judgmental and confidential support. Their approach is as individual as the people they are helping. 

By contacting your local Home-Start, they can assess your situation and match you with a suitable volunteer. Or they might signpost you to other support either through Home-Start groups or other support in the community. 

No parent should feel alone in raising children. Watch what Home-Start does:

Home visiting volunteers usually see you once a week and you decide together what to do during that time. It might be having a chat over a cup of tea, or getting out of the house, or your volunteer looking after the children whilst you can get some rest or some jobs done uninterrupted. 

Areas of practical and emotional support include post-natal depression, isolation, physical and mental health problems, bereavement, financial worries, relationship difficulties, managing children with additional needs or disabilities or an extra pair of hands where you have had twins or multiples.

Home-Start support is free and all support is voluntary.