Home-Start Hertfordshire

A child's early years are critical to their future.  We help families give their children the best start in life.  Through home visiting volunteers support local families who face a variety of difficulties, including loneliness and isolation, ill health, post-natal depression, disabilities and bereavement.  The emotional, physical and psychological cost for children experiencing tragedy, hardship and neglect is immense and can last a life-time.  Home-Start works because our volunteers have parenting experience or experience of working with families and children. They understand how hard it can be. They work alongside parents in their own homes, to help them cope with the stresses and strains of life and make sure they have the skills, confidence and strength they need to nurture their children. Home-Start is a national charity that works at local level. There are 215 independent Home-Starts in the UK. Home-Start has been operating in Hertfordshire since 1983. Our core programme is the provision of long-term mentoring for parents at risk of experiencing a serious crisis. We work with local, statutory partners who refer vulnerable parents to us. These people are often isolated; they can be suspicious of more formal service providers. Home-Start connects where other providers fail by offering home visits carried out by trained volunteers.