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Introduction

Home-Start Wokingham District offers support, friendship and practical help to parents with young children across the Wokingham District. Our support is free, confidential and non-judgemental with volunteers visiting each family once a week for between 2 - 3 hours.

Nationally, Home-Start offers a unique service, recruiting and training volunteers - who are parents themselves - to visit families at home who have at least one child under 5 years old. Our volunteers offer informal, friendly and confidential support.

To help give children the best possible start in life, Home-Start supports parents as they grow in confidence, strengthen their relationships with their children and widen their links with the local community.

We aim to increase the confidence and independence of families by:
  • Visiting families in their own homes to offer support, friendship and practical assistance.

  • Reassuring parents that issues with children are not unusual.

  • Encouraging parents' strengths and emotional well being for the ultimate benefit of their children.

  • Help parents to enjoy family life !

How Is Home-Start Put In Contact With Families ?

Families can be referred by health visitors, social workers or anyone involved with young families. We also take self-referrals and many families do choose to refer themselves.

If you would like to contact us on behalf of yourself or someone you know please click here.

Why Do Parents Need Help ?

Parents need help for many different reasons. The following are some of the more common reasons why people may be supported by Home-Start, but this list is by no means complete !
  • They may feel isolated because they have no family nearby and are struggling to make friends in their community.

  • They may be mothers with post-natal depression who need emotional support and a listening ear.

  • They may have several children under five including twins or triplets.

  • They may have children with additional needs or a disability.

  • They or their partner may have a long term illness.

  • They may be single parents on a low income and may have issues with housing.