How to get help from Home-Start
All parents struggle at one time or another. For some, the challenges can be greater. You are not alone.
Support from Home-Start
Being a parent has never been easy. It can be lonely, frustrating, heart breaking and overwhelming.
Life-changing events can happen to anyone. That is why Home-Start in East Lancashire is ready to support families through their toughest times.
Every Home-Start volunteer is trained to work alongside you to help you to overcome the challenges you are facing. We work with you to build on your strengths and give you the support that you tell us that you need.
How to get help
Home-Start in East Lancashire support is completely free, you do not have to pay for any of our support and it is entirely voluntary.
It might be suggested to you by a health visitor, a doctor or another professional but it is entirely up to you if you want to work with Home-Start.
We are very experienced in matching families with volunteers who we think will understand your situation and be able to work with you. If either you or the volunteer is not happy you can end the relationship and try another match.
All of our support is confidential. You don’t have to tell anyone that you are being supported by Home-Start, and we will never tell anyone else unless you say that we can.
Home-Start in East Lancashire groups
We hold regular groups at local venues where you and your children can come along and meet other families. Your children get the chance to play, learn and have fun with other children and with different books and toys. You get the chance to meet and talk to other parents – and many parents discover they are going through the same kinds of experiences and feel less alone. Our groups are a great place for parents to pick up advice, tips and help from Home-Start and other parents. During Covid-19 we have also set up online groups which our families can access.
Family Group
You and your children can come along and meet other families.
Your children get chance to play, learn and have fun and you get the chance to meet and talk to other families whilst enjoying “a cuppa or 2”
Sharing your experiences and the issues affecting your family can often make us realise that we are all facing similar issues and makes us feel less alone and can be helpful to others.
Exciting activities planned each week for you and your children to enjoy, as well as story/song time using our handmade story sacks and music bags.
These groups take place across East Lancashire and run on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, so there is always a play session you can attend.
For information about these groups, please download our timetable HERE
Busy Bees
Busy Bees is a parent/carer support group, especially for children, where there is a concern over their development or they have additional needs.
The groups are a great place for the concerned parent, we offer a relaxed, non-judgemental atmosphere, support from others and a stimulating fun and positive play experience for the child.
This group currently runs on a Tuesday in Colne.
For information about these groups, please download our timetable HERE
Kinship Carers group
Are you looking after children from your extended family or a close friend? Do you have a Special Guardianship or Kinship order?
Would you like to meet others in a similar situation and support one another?
Why not join us for a once a month catch up, your children can play with others whilst you enjoy a brew and a chat.
We try to invite professionals into our sessions to give appropriate advice on each individual’s situations.
Group takes place on the 1st Friday of every month
For information about these groups, please download our timetable HERE
Butterfly Friends
A safe place for parents who have suffered a loss, to come and speak freely to other parents. We simply get together, have a natter and some comfort food.
Each month we make keepsakes for your babies, to keep you occupied, whilst you chat.
Some of the meet ups will be supported by ‘Friends of Serenity’, when we could be helping to make memory boxes and miscarriage keepsakes, to help others the way they helped some of us, for the Lancashire Women and The Newborn Centre.
This group runs on the 1st Thursday of every month.
For information about these groups, please download our timetable HERE
Positive Steps
A group supporting women, who have previously had involvement with Children’s Social Care, helping them to make the right choices to build a better future.
Focusing on the individual support needed, we work to reduce isolation, build positive relationships, engage with local support services and improve mental health and resilience.
We can also help to build practical skills, such as cooking, budgeting and parenting skills, as well as offering signposting or assistance with other needs.
This group runs on a Wednesday.
For information about these groups, please download our timetable HERE
BME Family group
Chai and Chat is an informal, social space for BME pregnant women and mum’s to have an opportunity to explore and discuss; caring for themselves and their bump, what to expect in the early days and beyond, where to find support and anything else that feels important to them.
It is a relaxed and friendly group offering support and friendship for mum’s of 0-5’s
This group runs in Brierfield and Nelson
For information about these groups, please download our timetable HERE
Testimonials
My son and I are always greeted with a smile and there is always a cup of tea waiting for me and a friendly ear to listen to my woes when things have gotten tough throughout the week. I am made to feel at ease and enjoy speaking not only to staff but other Mums who attend when at times it seems that this is my only adult stimulation.
I know I will feel better once I get to group. I’m greeted with a friendly smile and a cup of tea.
We love coming to Wednesday group. It has given me some much needed friendship. It has helped my confidence and self esteem.
Without you and the group, I would be lost. We have made some great friends who are amazing. The support you give us is fantastic
Become a Home-Start Volunteer Today
Home-Start’s team of trained volunteers make sure a child’s early years count. By volunteering just a few hours each week you can transform the lives of young children and their parents in your community.