Home-Start Hillingdon Showcase: Impactful Support for Families in Need

1. Home-Start Hillingdon Presentation to HCFT Showcase Event 29.04.10

2. Statistics Staff team Scheme Manager Office Manager 1 f/t and 2 p/t co-ordinators 1 p/t Family Support Worker 38 trained volunteers Current Volunteer Preparation Course ends on 20th May, potentially providing 12 new volunteers 94 families supported in 2009/10

3. Home-Start Volunteers • Selection process • Preparation Course • Checks undertaken • Supervision • Support groups • Ongoing training

4. What Volunteers Say • The course has increased my confidence and I now know that there are people who need help and I am able to do it. • My life, perhaps, has not addressed other people’s problems/issues so it has been good for me as a person. • I have definitely gained confidence through the course and support from staff.

5. Referral Process • From any professional or self referrals • Referral form and process • Monitoring and evaluation • Duration of support

6. Reasons for Referral Includes: • Isolation • New to the area or country • Depression/mental ill health • Illness/disability (parent and/or child) • Learning difficulties • Low self esteem/confidence • Inexperienced parent • Play/stimulation • Child’s behaviour • Practical help • Multiple birth or several children under 5

7. Case Study 1 • Lone mother of 4 children under 5 years, including twins born during support. Asian mother came to UK for an arranged marriage during which she experienced severe domestic violence. • I valued the support given as 10/10. The main difference that Home-Start has made to my family is a lively impact – we all felt that we started a new life full of fun and activities…thank you. (Mother) • Thank you for the support – the client had great things to say about the service. (Domestic Violence Floating Service)

8. Case Study 2 • Mother, initially diagnosed with ‘baby-blues’, who suffered ‘post-partum cardiomyopathy’, a life threatening condition, after the birth of her baby. Anxious about her prognosis, needing reassurance and a listening ear. • I was very unsure at first if I wanted a helper but I cannot thank you enough for all of your help.It was the best thing for me and the family. My volunteer became part of the family – she is a wonderfully kind, generous and warm person and really helped us in our time of need……you do an amazing job. (Mother) • Home-Start was the only support I could get for this mother who was very ill post-delivery. Very positive support in all areas of need. (Health visitor)

9. Case Study 3 Teenage asylum seeker, mother of 2, who arrived in UK as an unaccompanied minor – has since been given indefinite leave to stay. • It has helped to teach me how to look after myself and my kids. (mother) • Home-Start has been a life-line for this family. The mother has blossomed since receiving this support. (health visitor)

10. What is special about Home-Start? Parents tell us that they value our support because volunteers: • give their time freely • engage with the family on a ‘parent-to-parent’ basis • offer visits of 2 ½ - 3 hours weekly • are able to be flexible about the day and times of their visit and because the service: • is their choice • is not time-limited • is ‘tailor-made’ to their needs

11. Any Questions?

12. Contact us at:Home-Start Hillingdon01895 252804office@homestart-hillingdon.org.uk