How to get help from
Home-Start in Northampton
Support from Home-Start in Northampton
Home-Start volunteers help families facing adversities such as isolation, the effects of post-natal illness, disability, mental health issues, bereavement, multiple births, poverty or financial difficulties, substance abuse or low self-esteem and confidence and a whole range of other challenges.
Families identify and discuss their own support needs with Home-Start before being matched and introduced to a volunteer. The help we give to each family is unique, and depends entirely on their circumstances and is tailored to meet their needs.
Our support makes a massive difference to families’ resilience, helping them to cope with the difficulties they face.
Referrals
We are able to support families living within the Borough of Northampton and who have at least one under school age child. Dependent on the support chosen the volunteer will either give telephone support once or twice weekly as agreed or home-visit once a week for 2 – 3 hours. Families accepting the offer of Home-Start support are usually referred by Health Visitors, Family Support, Schools and Nurseries. Other referrals come from various workers in the field of health care (e.g. midwives, paediatricians, child and family therapists), Sunflower Centre, Women’s Refuges, Portage, Northamptonshire Carers and from other voluntary organisations, having first obtained the permission of the family.
What happens next?
When a referral is received one of our Family Support Co-ordinators will contact the family to discuss the family’s support needs and how the family feels a volunteer could help. A suitable volunteer is then introduced to the family to offer support, friendship and practical help personalised to their particular needs. The Family Support Co-ordinator will remain in contact throughout the duration of support to review progress.
How long is Home-Start involved?
Support is provided for up to 3-6 months. However we recognise that some families may need support for just a few months whilst others for longer and that’s okay.
What about confidentiality?
All personal information about parents and families is treated as confidential. Home-Start, through a volunteer, develops a very special and privileged relationship with a family. By telephoning or visiting a family regularly and informally at home, a volunteer becomes a trusted listener and supporter and is likely to be the recipient of personal and private information.
There may be times when concerns about children’s welfare will mean confidentiality has to be breached. If this is the case, wherever possible, Home-Start Northampton will let families know before sharing information about them.
How to refer?
Referrals come from many sources, as listed above, and if you wish to refer a family please call the office on 01604 627692.
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.
Click here to find out more.