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  • About us
  1. About us
  2. About us

About us

Home-Start is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times. We are there for parents when they need us the most because childhood can’t wait.

Home-Start works with families in communities right across the UK. Starting in the home, our approach is as individual as the people we’re helping. No judgement, it is just compassionate, confidential help and expert support.

Last year Home-Start supported 56,000 children in 27,000 families, in communities across the UK.

How Home-Start can support your family

Being a parent has never been easy. It can be lonely, frustrating, heart breaking and over-whelming. Life-changing events can happen to anyone. That is why Home-Start is ready to support families through their toughest times.

Every Home-Start volunteer is trained to help them work alongside you to overcome the challenges you are facing. We work with you to build on your strengths and give you the support that you tell us that you need.

Find out how Home-Start can support your family

Volunteering at the heart of Home-Start

At the heart of each Home-Start’s work is home visiting volunteer support.

Across all four nations of the United Kingdom, 10,000 home-visiting volunteers support over 27,000 families and 56,000 children to transform their lives.

Home-Start works because our volunteers understand how hard it can be. They work alongside parents, in their own homes, to help them cope with the stresses and strains of life and make sure they have the skills, confidence and strength they need to nurture their children.

Find out how you can volunteer for Home-Start

Where Home-Starts work

There are over 180 local, independent Home-Starts working in 71% of local authority areas across the UK.

Across all four nations of the United Kingdom, 13,500 home-visiting volunteers support over 27,000 families and 56,000 children to transform their lives.

Families struggling with post-natal depression, isolation, physical health problems, bereavement and many other issues receive the support of a volunteer who will spend around two hours a week in a family’s home supporting them in the ways they need.

Home-Starts across the UK also support families in groups, hold day trips and Christmas parties and help access local services, as well as lots of other support.

Find your local Home-Start

The earliest years make the biggest impact

The earliest years make the biggest impact: Home-Start makes sure those years count so that no child’s future is limited.

Children who are raised in a stable, loving, family environment are more likely to have a positive and healthy future.

“We feel happy when our dad feels happy.”
  • 96% of those facing isolation
  • 94% of those experiencing low self-esteem, and
  • 95% of those coping with mental health issues

Home-Start's history

Home-Start started in 1973. We were founded by Margaret Harrison who believed that supporting a family was best done in their home where it can be shaped to the needs of the family. She realised that if parents get support and friendship from another parent, they will be better equipped to learn to cope with the many difficulties life can bring and will be able to give their children the best possible start to their own lives.

While this idea remains at the heart of our work, we have created new ways of helping parents and their children to meet the changing needs of families.

This idea that started in Leicester, spread across the UK and is now a movement around the world. There are now 22 countries on five continents that have Home-Starts providing support for families.

Margaret remained life president of Home-Start until her death in 2015.

How Home-Start helps families.

With the help of a Home-Start volunteer, the impossible becomes possible.

Home-Start Monmouthshire

Published: 4th August, 2016

Updated: 20th May, 2022

Author: Matt Hann

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Most read

  • Find your Home-Start

    Find your Home-Start

    Find your nearest Home-Start using our online map.

  • About us

    About us

    Home-Start is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times. We are there for parents when they need us the most because childhood can’t wait.

  • Work for Home-Start UK

    Work for Home-Start UK

    The people at Home-Start are its most important resource. Home-Start UK has been accredited with Investors in People since March 2005, which recognises the commitment we give to developing our staff. Please find below current vacancies within Home-Start UK.

  • Find a Home-Start in Scotland

    Find a Home-Start in Scotland

    Find your nearest Home-Start in Scotland

  • Find a Home-Start in Northern Ireland

    Find a Home-Start in Northern Ireland

    Find your nearest Home-Start in Northern Ireland

  • Make a referral

    Make a referral

    We receive referrals from health visitors, GPs, social care and child care practitioners as well as those involved in mental health services, education, early years and probation.

  • Find a Home-Start in Wales

    Find a Home-Start in Wales

    Find your nearest Home-Start in Wales

  • Ways to volunteer - home visiting

    Help parents and their children by visiting them for a couple of hours a week in their own homes.

  • Home-visiting

    Home-visiting

    Starting in the home, our approach is as individual as the people we’re helping. No judgement, just compassionate, confidential help and expert support.

  • Find support for your family

    Find support for your family

    Family pressures can sometimes be difficult to manage without emotional support and guidance around you. Find out how you can get the support you need.

Because childhood can't wait

Because childhood can't wait

The earliest years make the biggest difference. Home-Start makes sure those years count, so no child's future is limited.

Donate here to support Home-Start UK’s work around the country. To support a local Home-Start, you can find their details here. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 19th March, 2015

Updated: 14th April, 2022

Author:

Comments: 8

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Home-Start UK. A charitable company limited by guarantee. Charity no. in England and Wales 1108837 and in Scotland SC039172. Company no. 5382181.

Registered office: The Crescent, King Street, Leicester, LE1 6RX. © Home-Start UK