Home Visiting Support
Starting in the home, our approach is as individual as the people they’re helping. No judgement, just compassionate, confidential help and support.
A volunteer is someone who won’t judge, someone who can provide a much-needed listening ear; offer practical support like getting out to access community-based provision or medical appointments; someone who can provide information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting. The support we offer is as individual as the families themselves.
Before a volunteer is matched to offer support, our professional and friendly staff team will meet the family to identify a bespoke set of needs, and signpost to other services that may help. Our volunteers, who all have parenting experience, will then visit the family for a couple of hours a week and provide both emotional and practical help. All our volunteers are trained, vetted and undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
We are very experienced in matching families with volunteers who we think will provide the best care and support to the family awaiting support. We work closely with colleagues in health, social care and education, however we never share information about a family without permission. The only exception to this is where we have a concern about the welfare of a child.
Home-Start support is completely free and it is entirely voluntary in that the family has a choice in deciding whether our support is right for them. It might be suggested a known professional such as a 0-19 Health Practitioner, a teacher or another professional but it is entirely the choice of the family to engage in our support programmes. Families can also refer them selves.
Telephone Befriending
We offer telephone befriending to parents who would benefit from a regular weekly phone call from a trained Befriender who can offer a listening ear and emotional compassionate support remotely. This is a referral only service.
Young Parents Service 14-24 years.
We run weekly peer support groups for young parents under the age of 24 and their children. We have 2 groups running each week in Huddersfield and Cleckheaton, offering a safe and relaxed environment for young parents to get support, advice and information.
Many young parents feel judged, marginalised, and isolated in society because they have had a child at a young age and consequently their confidence and self-esteem are affected. A lot of fun is had during the sessions, by both parents and children, with activities such as craft sessions, messy play and outings to places like play gyms and local parks. But there is a serious side to the groups too, with activities aimed at increasing young parents’ confidence and helping them make positive life choices for themselves and their children. Our group staff help parents to access appropriate training and contraceptive services and identify the education and work options that will improve their longer-term economic prospects.
Each session is run by our group team and help is provided from our volunteers and Peer Educators, who are volunteers who have been young parents themselves. This is a referral service only.
We work collaboratively with local organisations and services to signpost families onto specialist help and advice where needed.
Group Peer Support for Families
We also facilitate weekly peer support sessions for families who are experiencing loneliness and isolation or have difficulties accessing local community-based provision. These sessions are held in Huddersfield and Dewsbury. This is a referral only service.
Volunteering
Volunteers give their time because they want to, not because they have to. This creates a special relationship with parents who are struggling and makes our work with families very successful. Our peer to peer support model is very effective in helping local families.
