This new National Lottery funding will enable the charity to support more than 100 additional families over 3 years in south Wiltshire. It will also expand its service into Warminster next year.
Its team of trained volunteers support families with a child under 5 at home or in its weekly groups. More volunteers will be recruited and trained to help ensure families are not left isolated and have the skills and confidence they need so their children have the best start in life.
Home-Start believes that all children deserve a happy and secure childhood and that parents are the key to providing that. But parenting can be hard particularly for families whose children were born in lockdown and now facing rising costs. The earliest years make the biggest impact and Home-Start’s consistent support ensures vulnerable parents of the under 5’s develop the skills, confidence and strength needed to nurture their children. It enables families to overcome the barriers preventing them from flourishing giving children a good start in life and helping them to achieve their full potential.
Bringing volunteers and families together helps people feel more connected, understand one another and play an active role in our community.
Becky Thompson, Home-Start manager said: “It’s my privilege to work with the families in south Wiltshire, match them with our wonderful volunteers or connect them with our groups. Thank you to National Lottery players, this grant means that we can help more families. It will reduce their isolation, help their children’s development and support parents with mental health issues. This will make a big difference to people’s lives.”
National Lottery players raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes a share of this to projects to support people and communities to prosper and thrive.
For more information visit www.homestartsouthwilts.org.uk, 07562 633869, info@homestartsouthwilts.org.uk
During the pandemic, in 2020 alone, The National Lottery Community Fund distributed almost £1 billion to charities and community organisations across the UK. To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk