SUMMER 2017 darlingmagazine.co.uk 51

I ndependent family support charity, Home-Start Elmbridge, has

been supporting vulnerable families (as many as 120 each year) since 2000. What goes on inside the homes of a family during the early years of a child’s life strongly determines the opportunities and chances they may have. Children raised in stable, loving, family environments are more likely to have a positive and healthy future. For those not so fortunate, the charity attempts to catch any problems early, prevent them from getting worse and, where possible, stop them from happening in the first place. Such families are affected by any number of disadvantages, which commonly include illness, physical and learning disabilities, behavioural issues or poor emotional health. It also assists parents who are struggling to cope due to low income, poverty and debt, unsuitable housing, social isolation and postnatal depression, as well as children suffering from distress resulting from neglect, domestic abuse, parental drug or alcohol dependency.

The five years between birth and school are vital for a child’s development, and that’s where Home-Start steps in

Any family can be referred to Home-Start, on the condition they have at least one child under the age of five. Services include home visits and crisis support to vulnerable families requiring immediate intervention and a volunteer group is in place which specifically works with parents on the modern day challenges of parenthood.

Samantha Mills lost her mother to cancer two days after the birth of her youngest child. Home-Start provided her with the means to help her come to terms with her bereavement and deal with the impact on her emotional well-being so soon after welcoming her own son into the world.

“I was referred to Home-Start at one of the lowest points of my life. With the help of a bereavement counsellor, they picked me up and put me back together again. I realised I wasn’t alone and remain to this day, eternally grateful for the amazing service the charity provides to those who find themselves in similar situations.”

Once volunteers, who are parents themselves, have undergone the necessary training, they are carefully matched with a family and will commit to weekly home visits for as long as needed. Providing one-to-one, confidential, practical and emotional advice, parents learn coping mechanisms to address the stresses and strains of life, and the skills they need to nurture their children.

Because children’s wellbeing is dependent on the wellbeing of their families, the charity places an importance on a family approach. By identifying the parents’ needs, whist keeping the needs of the children at the forefront, it can ensure families receive a tailored wrap-around support package. Introducing new, more positive models of behaviour from the start can mean a better future for the children, their families, and ultimately the community.

home-start-elmbridge.btck.co.uk