Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Cymraeg
  • Scotland
Home-Start UK
Get help Donate

Find us on social media

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Get help
    • Find your local Home-Start
    • Support available
    • Make a referral
    • If you need urgent support
    • Dad Matters
    • Tips for parents
  • Volunteer
    • How to volunteer
    • Register your interest
    • Volunteer roles
  • Support us
    • How to support us
    • Fundraise for us
      • Challenge events
      • Share the Load for Home‑Start UK
      • Create your own fundraising event
      • Fundraising tips
    • Leave a gift in your Will
    • Home-Start charity shops
    • Corporate Partnerships
    • Funders & partners
  • About us
    • About Home-Start UK
    • Our people
      • Executive Leadership Team
      • Our trustees
    • Strategy & annual reports
      • Home-Start strategy 22 - 27
      • Annual reports
    • Common questions
    • Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
    • Policy & research
      • Policy
      • Research and evaluation
    • News and stories
      • News
      • Family stories
      • Family Matters
      • Media office
    • Jobs
  • Shop
  • Admin
    • Log in
    • Cymraeg
    • Scotland
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Home-Start in Northern Ireland
  1. Home
  2. Home-Start in Northern Ireland

Home-Start in Northern Ireland

More than 1,500 families are being supported by 300 Home-Start volunteers in 16 communities in Northern Ireland.

Home-Start volunteers help families with young children deal with whatever life throws at them. We support parents as they learn to cope, improve their confidence and build better lives for their children.

Find out how you can volunteer

Home-Start knows that well-trained volunteers complement the early-years workforce, significantly contributing to the support families receive and enabling them to access services when they are most needed. We are pleased to be involved in Family Support Hubs, working towards a seamless offer of services so that the needs of children and families are not missed.

Home-Start was founded in 1973. The first Home-Start in Northern Ireland was established in East Belfast in 1983.

If you want to find other support available for your family, click here to visit the Northern Ireland Family Support website, a comprehensive database of family support and childcare services across Northern Ireland.

Register your interest

Register your interest

Are you interested in volunteering and want to find out more? Get in touch today by filling out our form and someone will be in touch. Read more

Published: 4th October, 2019

Updated: 13th November, 2020

Author: Matt Hann

Our impact in Northern Ireland

Our impact in Northern Ireland

In the past year Home-Start supported 1,456 families in Northern Ireland, with 540 people volunteering their time. Read more

Published: 4th August, 2017

Updated: 25th October, 2019

Author: Matt Hann

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. Read more

Published: 19th November, 2016

Updated: 29th November, 2024

Author: Matt Hann

Help to access services

Help to access services

One of the most important roles played by a Home-Start volunteer is to help people access local services in their area. Read more

Published: 18th November, 2016

Updated: 29th December, 2023

Author: Matt Hann

Find a Home-Start in Northern Ireland

Find a Home-Start in Northern Ireland

Find your nearest Home-Start in Northern Ireland Read more

Published: 25th April, 2016

Updated: 30th January, 2018

Author: Matt Hann

Back to top

Latest

  • Eve's story: I didn’t know if my daughter would survive the journey home from the maternity ward

    Eve's story: I didn’t know if my daughter would survive the journey home from the maternity ward

    Donna was Eve's volunteer who walked into her life at her lowest point. With Donna's support, she found the courage to open the door again and even step out. Before Donna, she couldn't.

  • Emily's story: Having Judith there means I can breathe

    Emily's story: Having Judith there means I can breathe

    Mum Emily tells us how isolating being a parent became for her and how living with a disability adds another layer. Judith, her Home-Start volunteer helped to make life's challenges feel easier.

  • Lauren's story: I felt invisible, but someone finally believed in me

    Lauren's story: I felt invisible, but someone finally believed in me

    Lauren had complications during her pregnancy, but that was just the start of what she had to face. Her son was born with several needs which led to him having a gastrostomy. All of this, feeling anxious and overwhelmed meant her mental health collapsed. Lauren didn't want to accept Home-Start support at first, but her Home-Start volunteer Alison believed in her and that made all the difference.

  • Gina's story: Hopeless and homeless, until Home-Start helped us

    Gina's story: Hopeless and homeless, until Home-Start helped us

    Mum Gina explains how her family faced isolation, eviction and homelessness. Vital support through Home-Start helped them survive a situation no family should ever have to face.

Most read

  • Where we work

    Where we work

    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.

  • 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 your local Home-Start

    Click on your area to find your local Home-Start.

  • Find a Home-Start in Scotland

    Find a Home-Start in Scotland

    Find your nearest Home-Start in Scotland

  • Register your interest in Volunteering

    Register your interest in Volunteering

    Are you interested in volunteering for Home-Start? Fill out the form and someone will be in touch.

  • Find a Home-Start in Northern Ireland

    Find a Home-Start in Northern Ireland

    Find your nearest Home-Start in Northern Ireland

  • Find a Home-Start in Wales

    Find a Home-Start in Wales

    Find your nearest Home-Start in Wales

  • 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.

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. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 19th March, 2015

Updated: 2nd February, 2026

Author:

Comments: 8

Help us change a child's future

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

Donate Fundraise

Published: 9th April, 2026

Updated: 30th April, 2026

Author: Beth Wilson

Help give another child the best start in life

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

Donate Fundraise

Published: 9th April, 2026

Author: Beth Wilson

  • Having the support to build myself up from the ground up means the boys have a happier mum and a more stable home life.

  • Rebbekah

Subscribe to our newsletter

Become a part of our growing community of parents and carers and keep up to date on everything going on at Home-Start.

Quick links

  • How to volunteer
  • EEDI Statement
  • About us
  • Fundraise for us
  • Contact

Helpful

  • How we help
  • Jobs
  • Sitemap

Useful links

  • @Home intranet login
  • GDPR compliance
  • Complaints policy
  • Accessibility
  • General Privacy notice
  • Quality Assurance policy
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cookie policy
  • Cymraeg
  • Scotland

Find us on social media

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • BlueSky

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: Clarence House, 46 Humberstone Gate, Leicester LE1 3PJ. © Home-Start UK

Menu

  • Home
  • About
  • Support

Get in touch

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • GDPR compliance
  • Complaints policy
  • Accessibility
  • General Privacy notice
  • Quality Assurance policy
  • Terms and conditions
  • Cookie policy

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: Clarence House, 46 Humberstone Gate, Leicester LE1 3PJ. © Home-Start UK

Manage Cookie Preferences