Home-Start is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times.
We are there for parents when they need us the most because childhood can’t wait.
Home-
Home-Start South Wiltshire was set up in 1999 to provide a high quality service for families living in the former Salisbury District Council Area from Larkhill in the north to Downton in the south, from Mere in the west to Whiteparish in the east.
Home-Start South Wiltshire is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Overseen by our local volunteer trustees and committee members our aim is to give children under 5 the best possible start in life by helping parents to manage daily life through strengthening relationships and widening their links within their local community.
Home-Start South Wiltshire works with parent volunteers to provide a community-based model of support for families with young children, tailored to the family’s needs. The Home-Start model offers one-to-one support and friendship to other parents through volunteer home visiting, family and specialist groups and social activities.
What we do
We support families with at least one child under the age of 5 through our dedicated home-visiting volunteers.
Our co-ordinators are responsible for the day-to-day recruitment, training and support of the volunteers as well as liaising with referrers.
Volunteers support local families facing a variety of difficulties, including:
- Feelings of isolation
- Experiencing effects of ill health and/or disability
- Difficulties in managing the household budget
- Struggling with emotional health/depression
- Difficulties in managing children’s behaviour
- Bereavement
- Multiple birth
- Housing issues
- Stress associated with conflict in the family
Volunteers are carefully matched – linking the skills of each volunteer with the needs of the family. Our volunteers are friendly, approachable and give their spare time to provide encouragement, a listening ear and an extra pair of hands for a few hours once a week.
Areas we cover
We serve the former Salisbury District Council Area from Larkhill in the north to Downton in the south, from Mere in the west to Whiteparish in the east.
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.
Referrals come from many sources including health visitors, other health and social-care professionals, voluntary organisations, counselling services, churches and increasingly from families themselves. You may contact us for further information but referrals must always be made with the consent of the family. (Read our Help for your family leaflet)
Will anyone else find out?
Home-Start South Wiltshire support is confidential. Personal information about you and your family is not disclosed to anyone outside Home-Start South Wiltshire without your consent, except where there is a concern about the safety or welfare of a child.
What if I change my mind?
You choose whether or not to accept Home-Start South Wiltshire support and can change your mind at any time. A volunteer will only visit on your invitation.
What next?
If you are a family with at least one child under five you can ask for help. To find out if Home-Start South Wiltshire can help, you can:
- Contact us directly
- Talk to your Health Visitor, Midwife or GP
- Ask your Social Worker to refer you
- Ask a friend or family member to contact us for you
- Download a Referral Form