Jodie left an 18-year abusive relationship and had to move to a new area with her two sons. This is her story of how Home-Start helped to rebuild her life and bring hope and confidence to not only her but to Timothy and Alfie too.  

"When I first moved to Sherborne, everything in my life had changed. After leaving an 18-year relationship that included domestic abuse, I was starting again with my children in a completely new town, a new home, and a new routine.

I moved in with my son Timothy, who was then five years old, and Alfie, who was three. Timothy has Down Syndrome and coeliac disease and goes to a specialist school. My other children live with their dad. And I have a baby on the way with my new partner, our first together.

Life felt overwhelming in ways I couldn’t quite put into words. I had never even visited this new town before, I didn’t know anyone, and I had the two young boys. I had a double buggy for them at the time, and it is hilly here. It was hard work to nip out, even to the limited local shops. I was feeling low in myself.

I knew I was struggling, but was used to coping on my own, so when I was first introduced to Home-Start through the local Early Help Hub, my immediate reaction was hesitation. I remember thinking, “I don’t need someone coming into my home telling me how to be a mum”.

The idea of a stranger watching me with my children, cleaning the house etc, made me feel like I’d be exposed and judged. I worried it might make me look incapable. But I did need help, even if I didn’t want to admit it out loud. Eventually, I agreed to give it a try, with the option to stop if it didn’t feel right.

That’s when everything began to shift.

My first introduction was with a Home-Start Support Co-ordinator, Charlie, who did my initial assessment. I can honestly say she changed how I saw the whole experience. She was warm, down-to-earth, and completely non-judgmental. She didn’t make me feel like I was failing, she made me feel normal. She talked about everyday parenting struggles in a way that made me realise I wasn’t alone. For the first time in a long time, I felt understood.

From there, I was matched with Sarah, my home visiting volunteer. She felt like the perfect fit for our family. She had previously worked in Portage, which meant she had experience working with children like Timothy. That connection was so unexpected, it made a huge difference. She didn’t just support me, she understood us.

One of my biggest struggles at the time was food and cooking. I’ve never enjoyed being in the kitchen, and suddenly I had to manage complex dietary needs with Timothy’s coeliac disease. I felt overwhelmed just thinking about meals, and gluten-free food and ingredients are so much more expensive.

But Sarah turned that stress into something manageable, and even enjoyable. She brought printed recipes and ingredient lists around to the house, and we cooked together with the children. We'd just do something new every week. I’ve gotten to the point where I'm baking things from scratch and the kids are doing it all with me. She took all of my anxiety and all my worries away around food.

We also joined Home-Start trips, like a memorable visit to the beach. I was nervous at first, especially about managing the journey and keeping the children settled. But it turned out to be a joyful day filled with laughter, singing, and simple family moments, it was amazing.

Home-Start didn’t just support me with practical tasks like cooking, going to appointments and days out. They supported my children, too, especially my youngest, Alfie, who was preparing for school. He was very attached to me and struggled massively with separation and change. I was really concerned about him starting school.

Sarah’s support went far beyond scheduled visits. She brought activities to the house, tailored to my children, from painting, drawing, gardening, to storytelling and creative play. She made sure each child felt included, especially Timothy, so nobody felt left out. That consistency and care helped bring stability into what had been a very uncertain time in our lives.

We also attended weekly sessions where he was gently introduced to school life in a way that felt safe and familiar. He made friends, met teachers, and explored his new environment, including the playground, before starting school for real.

The difference it made was incredible. Instead of fear, he started to feel excitement. He went from being anxious about school to not wanting to miss a single day. When we bought his uniform, he wanted to go to sleep in it! Seeing that transformation in him gave me hope and reassurance that we were on the right path.

For me, as a parent, those sessions were just as important. Sitting alongside other parents, sharing worries, and talking openly about school readiness helped me realise that all of us had similar fears. It wasn’t about perfection, it was about preparation.

I still feel grateful for the support I received. Even though the formal sessions have ended, the impact hasn’t. It reminded me that asking for help doesn’t mean you’re incapable, it means you care enough to make things the best they can be for your kids.

Home-Start helped me make our home a better place for all of us and helped my son find a love of school and learning. His recent parents' evening was a testament to that."