How to get help from Home-Start
All parents struggle at one time or another. For some, the challenges can be greater. You are not alone.
Support from Home-Start
Befriending is offered at times of stress by trained volunteers who work towards increasing the confidence and independence of parents.
Being a parent has never been easy. It can be lonely, frustrating, heart breaking and overwhelming.
Life-changing events can happen to anyone. That is why Home-Start Hull is ready to support families through their toughest times.
Every Home-Start volunteer is trained to work alongside you to help you to overcome the challenges you are facing. We work with you to build on your strengths and give you the support that you tell us that you need.
How to get help
Home-Start support is completely free, you do not have to pay for any of our support and it is entirely voluntary.
It might be suggested to you by a health visitor, a doctor or another professional but it is entirely up to you if you want to work with Home-Start.
We are very experienced in matching families with volunteers who we think will understand your situation and be able to work with you. If either you or the volunteer is not happy you can end the relationship and try another match.
All of our support is confidential. You don’t have to tell anyone that you are being supported by Home-Start, and we will never tell anyone else unless you say that we can.
Home-Start Hull support services
Home-Start offers one-to-one home-visiting volunteer support to any family living in Hull who has a child under five who is not in full time school. Our volunteers are carefully matched to a family and visit them once a week for 2-3 hours providing both practical and emotional support. Our support is unique and tailored to the needs of each individual family and all of our volunteers have parenting experience themselves, either through their own children or through work or studies. Volunteers are introduced to the family by a paid Coordinator who will supervise the volunteer and monitor the support to ensure it meets the family needs. Some families may prefer to have phone support or attend one of our groups.
Alongside this we run regular activities and social events for our supported families and volunteers where you and your children can come along and meet other families. Your children get the chance to play, learn and have fun with other children and you get the chance to meet and talk to other parents. Many parents discover they are going through the same kinds of experiences and feel less alone.
Families in Mind (FIM)
Our FIM service is funded by the Henry Smith Charity and has been running since May 2016. Originally starting as a post-natal depression project in 2009, we recognised that parents had often experienced long-term mental illness before having a baby but it may not have been diagnosed before. The project has grown over the years and we have developed FIM to adapt to the needs of the families we support. Parents on this project will receive six weeks of phone support to enable them to build a relationship with the project coordinator, Bridget before we place a volunteer for home-visiting. Phone support can continue for longer depending on what each family wants.
We aim to support 30 families per year with this project and we hope to improve children’s school readiness as well as support parents to cope with family life and the challenges of their mental illness. Our Organiser, Bridget is available to chat more about the support. Email bridget@homestarthull.org.uk or call 01482 324063.
About PADS (Partners and Dads)
Support for Dads and other co-parents of children aged 0-2 in Hull
Our PADs (Partners And Dads) peer support service is part of the Start for Life & Family Hubs offer in Hull. We know that it’s just as important for dads and other co-parents to get support with their parenting as it is for mums. Dads play a massive part in their children’s lives and sometimes it’s good to have other people in a similar position to talk to about the journey, from finding out you’re going to be a parent, to tackling teething, weaning and potty training!
We have some really relaxed and informal groups set up in different areas across the city, we can also offer home-visiting and phone support and we have a closed Facebook group. Podcasts and ante-natal sessions also coming soon!
For up-to-date information, follow us on social media or contact lucy@homestarthull.org.uk
About Parent Infant Well Being
Parent Infant Well Being peer support for parents of children aged 0-2 in West Hull
Our Parent Infant Well Being peer support is available to parents with children aged 0-2 who might be feeling a bit unsure about how to connect with their bump, baby or little person. We understand it’s hard being a parent and the range of emotions that go along with such a big responsibility but we also know that there is loads we can do to form secure attachments with our children and help them build their brains from the day they are conceived.
We have groups running in West Hull (support in East Hull is provided by House of Light www.houseoflight.org.uk ) and volunteers with similar experiences to support in the home and by phone.
Please contact Charlotte charlotte@homestarthull.org.uk for more details.
Testimonials
I feel less lonely so it’s improved my mental health. I also have more time doing household chores I wouldn’t usually get done with the kids around and we get out more too. The best thing about Home-Start is having someone reliable and empathic in our lives. Please clone her so we can have at least one of her around every day!
I know each week she will be there for my family and she gives me good advice. The best thing about Home-Start is having someone to talk to, knowing she’s there and someone to help with problems.
She has helped me by allowing me to have time with each of my children.
I suffered badly with post-natal depression after the birth of my first child but when the second came along quite quickly, I felt much better. However, when he was 3 days old, he was rushed into hospital and eventually had to have a colostomy bag. I knew about Home-Start because my aunty used to volunteer. I suggested it to a friend who needed help and realised I wasn’t judging her for going to Home-Start so why should I feel judged. Home-Start helped me gain my confidence and gave me my sanity back and I’m now doing the preparation course myself.
The best thing about Home-Start is that they treat you with respect.
She makes the whole house better, even for the boys who are at school when she comes. It stretches the weekend out because I get all my jobs done on a Friday so I can dedicate the weekend to the boys so we are all chilled. The full thing is amazing. I normally stress out if I have to cancel appointments but everyone is so polite I don’t worry. A comment from a Mum at family review.
Become a Home-Start Volunteer Today
Home-Start’s team of trained volunteers make sure a child’s early years count. By volunteering just a few hours each week you can transform the lives of young children and their parents in your community.