Charity Profile - Home Start

Providing a lifeline for local families facing tough times

Struggles of parenting When Dawn was first referred to Home-Start Arun, Worthing & Adur (AWA) by social services, neither she nor her two-year-old daughter, Betsy, spoke. So mentally traumatised by previous abuse, Dawn was self-harming and found it hard to interact with Betsy in any way. As a result, Betsy had been referred to a speech therapist. Being a parent can sometimes be lonely, frustrating, and overwhelming – many struggling with the daily tasks of parenting, made more difficult by poor mental and physical health, living in unsuitable accommodation, multiple births, lone parenting, poverty, domestic abuse. What they do Home-Start AWA supports local parents like Dawn through their most challenging times. A child’s early years are critically important, they build a foundation upon which all their later learning, behaviours and health depend. Early intervention resulting in positive outcomes for vulnerable children is well documented and Home-Start knows that children do best when they are cared for by their parents and parents get the help they need. All the volunteers have parenting and/or grandparenting experience and are fully trained, DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked and matched carefully to provide families with children under 5 years of age, with free, practical, emotional, non-judgemental, weekly 1-2-1 support in their home, or on the phone. Some families attend one of the weekly Family Groups, providing opportunity to meet other families in a low-pressure environment. They are a steppingstone - building confidence to meet new people and access other services. From introvert to chatterbox Dawn attended one of these groups and over time, with support from volunteers and staff, she eventually stopped selfharming, learned to interact with Betsy and no longer needs specialist input from health services. Dawn says, “Due to Home-Start’s support, I now have a wonderful bond with my daughter, and am completely aware of the impact my mental health has on her. I’m now more aware of my triggers and when the right time is to ask for help.” The Group Volunteer says, “From being a quiet and introverted child, she is now cheerful, inquisitive and talks constantly! We role-modelled positive interactions which Dawn noticed, and we’ve seen her grow in confidence as a mum. Their relationship is now much closer and more fun. It’s wonderful to see!” Home-Start volunteers support parental mental health and wellbeing, vital to enable bonding, language development and socialisation with their children. Their support allows parents to feel less consumed with adult issues and refocus on their children’s wellbeing, enabling them to better provide a safe and nurturing home, giving their children the best possible start in life. The challenges local families face Since the pandemic and the current cost of living crisis, life has become tougher for so many more local families. Last year Home-Start supported 172 families and 414 children, but they have already seen a 25% increase in referrals since the beginning of this year. Many of the children they help are living in poverty. 30% of the families referred last year lived in four of the Lower Super Output Areas which are in the top 10% most deprived areas in the UK. An increasing number (over half) report facing financial difficulties. Volunteers now provide more practical support, including help with

the household budget, foodbank vouchers, providing milk, nappies and clothes. A quarter live in unsuitable accommodation and staff support with benefit and housing applications. Last winter, they supported a family escaping domestic violence, living in their car during the day, providing them with clothes, food and blankets. After the closure of many Children & Family/ Young People's Centres across West Sussex, families are telling Home-Start they feel without a 'place' in which to meet other parents and engage with support staff. Due to the pandemic, many primary schools confirm an increase in children starting school without the basic skills to help them succeed –dressing/toileting independently. Many were denied the opportunity to mix with others and have limited communication skills and ability to socialise and play. Last year, over ¾ of referred parents were experiencing mental health difficulties. During the pandemic Home -Start introduced Buggy Walks with volunteers and their families proving good for mental health - fresh air, exercise, play time essential for children. They also started an in-house therapeutic counselling service for parents facing mental health difficulties impacting on their ability to parent. Who refers families to Home-Start AWA Only 36% of parents self-refer, and a wide range of professionals refer families to Home-Start including West Sussex Family Support Services, health visitors, midwives, mental health, and social services, West Sussex Coastal Mind, and domestic abuse support services. A family story Sarah was first referred to Home-Start AWA by Carers Support. She was really struggling to cope. At 31, her partner Simon had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Simon had to give up his job, Sarah became his carer and, whilst having to hold down a full-time job,

they discovered Sarah was pregnant. She became anxious, exhausted, overwhelmed, and worried about how they would cope financially. A beautiful baby girl was born but Sarah experienced several infections afterwards and Simon was unable to provide practical help or hold his daughter for any length of time. Over time, with 1-2-1, non-judgemental, confidential practical and emotional support from their Home-Start volunteer Lizzie, the family are in a much better place. Sarah says; “It’s been a challenging journey but support from Lizzie has given me space to breathe and has contributed to my mental health, keeping my head just above water, allowing me to be the mum that I want to be. I’m looking forward to going back to work. Lizzie has been an essential part of my recovery and I’m not sure where I would be without her support.” How you can help Over 21 years, intervention from Home-Start AWA has had a proven and positive impact on the health and welfare of 2,278 local families and 4,783 children. Each year Home-Start fundraise to continue to offer their services, and they can not do this without community support. Local families often call their volunteers a ‘lifeline’ – each visit costs just £25 to provide this vital support. If you would like to donate you can scan the barcode, or go to: www.homestartawa.org.uk. You can also visit the website for support ideas. – www.home-startawa.org.uk/ fundraise If you need support, know a family who might, or are interested in volunteering, contact 01903 889707 or visit the website. There are two other Home-Start services within West Sussex. If you need help or to wish to donate to Home-Start Chichester & District, go to: home-startchichester.org.uk. Or contact HomeStart Crawley, Horsham & Mid Sussex at www.homestartchams.org.uk

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