About Home-Start
Who we are
We are a voluntary organisation committed to promoting the welfare of families with at least one child under five years of age and living in the Borough of Northampton. Volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to families, under stress, in their own homes, helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown.
Helping families in Northampton since 1982. Since 2015:
Families helped
Children supported
Volunteers Hours
What we do
Our support is informal, friendly and confidential; delivered through carefully selected and prepared volunteers, who are parents themselves. Home-Start believes that children need a happy and secure childhood, and that parents play the key role in giving their children a good start in life, helping them to achieve their full potential.
Through the offer of support, friendship and practical help to parents with young children, Home-Start supports parents to grow in confidence, strengthen their relationships with their children and widen their links within the local community.
Home-Start Northampton is proud to be a part of the Home-Start network. As well as giving us access to specialist support and collective influence, our membership ensures we are assessed under the Home-Start Quality Assurance framework.
The framework is a bespoke system designed with the Charities Evaluation Service and encompasses four standards: Governance, People Management, Managing Data and Safeguarding/Child Protection. In our day to day work we use self-assessment to ensure all aspects are adhered to and these are regularly reviewed by the Trustee Board. This allows us to flag issues before they become serious and respond in a timely fashion. It also enables us to develop a culture of self-improvement in which trustees, staff and volunteers thrive. The system incorporates the principles of ISO9001 and Investors in People and our compliance is routinely reviewed by Home-Start UK’s ISO accredited quality assurance specialists.
We are particularly proud to report a score of 100% in our most recent audit.
Areas we cover
Case studies
Family 1
“My volunteer encouraged me to want to better my home life, self esteem and children’s lives. She gave me the tools and advice I needed...
Family 2
"My volunteer helped a lot with emotional support. She helped keep my two children entertained whilst I got things done. She also encouraged me...
Family 3
"She was always there to talk to, she never judged me. She always offered support. I am going to miss seeing my volunteer every week".
Our Leadership Team
Zoe Reynolds – Manager
Maia Aldridge – Family Support Co-ordinator
Kerrie Purr – Family Support Co-ordinator
Jayne Russell – Administrator
Our trustees
Our Board is responsible for setting the direction of our organisation, strategic decisions, governance, legal compliance and leadership. Working closely with the Manager and the staff, Trustees are essential to the operation of our charity.
To find out more contact us
Julia Halliwell – Chairperson
Robin Draper – Vice Chair
Luke Bloomer – Trustee
Jenny Brooks – Trustee
Our Patrons
Paul and Emma Grayson