Spotlight On: Home-Start Matters

Home-Start Royston, Buntingford & South Cambridgeshire has been supporting families going through tough times for the past 35 years.

Support is available to families with at least one child of nine or under who are struggling with: Post-natal depression, isolation, physical and mental health problems, relationship problems, multiple-aged children, bereavement and many other issues.

Maria receives support from a Homestart volunteer Michele with her 4 childrren. Ashford, Kent. United Kingdom. (Picture © Andy Aitchison / HomeStartUK)

How they Support Local Families
Home-Start help local families through their unique Home-Visiting Service. A highly-trained volunteer visits the supported family every single week for two to three hours – providing practical and emotional support which is compassionate, confidential and free and tailored to the individual needs of each family. All volunteers have parenting experience so understand the ups and downs involved in raising a family.

Local Family Support Volunteers Needed
This year the charity has seen a 57% increase in the number of families referred to them compared with the same time period last year, which demonstrates the increase in need for services in the local area. In order to meet that need Home-Start must recruit and train more volunteers.

Fundraising Opportunities
As with any small charity funding is always high on the agenda and the 2019/2020 target is £159,000. Funding comes through various sources including organising events – there are quizzes, literary lunches and concerts to name a few. Home-Start also rely on the generous support of the local community who help in many ways including joining in with initiatives like the annual swimming aquathon, taking on sporting events, marathons, biking challenges, having cakes sales or making Home-Start their ‘charity of the year’.

To find out how Home-Start could help your family, to get involved yourself or to find out about their fundraising efforts and events, visit their website, give them or call or an email

www.hsrsc.org.uk
01763 262262
admin@hsrsc.org.uk
Incorporated as Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire