The COVID-19 pandemic was a crisis like no other for families. Social distancing and isolation has placed enormous strain on families. Families with particular pressures such as poor mental health, illness and low wages were hit hardest by the crisis.

Home-Starts across the country moved fast to provide support for these and other families affected.

During the pandemic 94% of Home-Start delivered telephone support to parents, 68% delivered groceries to families and 60% worked in partnership with Local Authority Children’s Services to support families at risk.

As Amy, a mum supported by Home-Start North and West Gloucestershire said, “Home Start has been a rock for me emotionally, someone to talk to when I needed some human conversations and they have helped me stay positive in a terrible time and for that I’m forever grateful.”

Home-Start UK has supported local Home-Starts across the UK with advice and funding to move essential support services online to stay connected with families and our network of local Home-Starts and their volunteers were a vital part of local community response efforts across the UK – delivering supplies and linking families into local resources such as foodbanks, meals, and public health services.

As we emerge from the crisis, Home-Start staff and volunteers will play a key part in the wider effort needed to bring our families and our communities together again.