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Home-Start Westminster

Description

We are a leading family support charity, working with families with at least 1 child under 5 who are experiencing difficulties in 3 boroughs – Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham. We offer a unique service, recruiting and training volunteers to provide weekly support, friendship and practical assistance to families in their homes. Our approach is flexible to take account of different needs, with the aim of encouraging families’ strengths and increased confidence and wellbeing, by:
• offering support, friendship and practical assistance
• visiting families in their own homes, where the dignity and identity of each individual can be respected and protected
• reassuring parents that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual and encouraging enjoyment in family life
• developing a relationship with the family in which time can be shared and understanding can be developed
• encouraging the parents’ strengths and emotional well-being for the ultimate benefit of their own children
• encouraging families to widen their network of relationships and to use effectively the support and services available within the community.

Our Bump-Start project supports pregnant women throughout the perinatal period and their baby's first year, and we also have a free counselling/psychotherapy service for parents coping with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, or family breakdown, domestic violence and other emotional issues who otherwise wouldn't have access to this kind of help.

For more information about our services or to inquire about volunteering, please get in touch with the team.
 
We support ANY family living in Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea who needs us, providing there is at least 1 child under 5, or a baby on the way. Rich or poor, settled or transient; there are times when we all need support and friendship but do not know where to turn. Our trained volunteers help to give encouragement and support to change the pattern of troubled lives.