Home-Start North East Worcestershire is a charity that offers support to families across Redditch and Bromsgrove who are struggling to cope since 1989.
Volunteers provide non-judgmental, practical and emotional support to help build the family’s confidence and prevent family breakdown. They offer a range of support services delivered by qualified professionals and they train and supervise volunteers to support parents and children. The volunteers have been parents themselves or understand family life; understanding the pressures, difficulties and stresses as well as the joy and fun that a family can bring.
Home-Start offers many services including their family groups, which provide a safe, stimulating environment for families with children under 5 years old to attend, to help build their confidence and support development and social skills. The backbone of this delivery are the volunteers, both those who help delivery the sessions and those who work behind the scenes.
“When I help other people, it helps me as well. It helps me pass the time, gives me something to do. I live on my own, so by doing voluntary work it gets me out the house. I’d always advise anybody who’s got time on their hands to use it for voluntary work.” Volunteer, HomeStart
“It’s definitely a sense of fulfilment as well as making a difference. I feel like I’m making a difference and I’m offering help, and taking maybe a bit of pressure off.” Volunteer, HomeStart
Poster: HomeStart North East Worcestershire
This story was created as part of the Celebrating Community Stories Project 2023 – 2024. Public Health at Worcestershire County Council worked with organisations across the County to find out what keeps Worcestershire healthy, active and creative. To find out more about the Community Stories Project visit Celebrating Community Stories (worcestershire.gov.uk)