Home-Start Dacorum supports families who are finding it difficult to cope with the stresses of bringing up a young family. Trained volunteers, who are parents themselves, visit and support families in their own homes. They offer time, friendship and help with the everyday difficulties that parents with young children face. The support is available to a parent or carer with at least one child under age 11, provided they meet the required criteria.

Provides:
Face to face support in their own homes.

We support families facing a variety of problems including:

• Loneliness
• Isolation
• Post-natal depression
• Disabilities or ill health
• Multiple births
• Relationship difficulties
• Bereavement
• Domestic violence
• Support with the stresses of everyday family life

Our approach:

Home-Start Dacorum volunteers visit families regularly in their own homes. The visits are usually once a week for two or three hours. The volunteer and the family decide together when to meet and how the time will be spent.

Sometimes a parent may want someone to listen, someone to talk to – or even someone to share an adult conversation! At another time they may need more practical help with the shopping or playing with the children. Information about families is confidential and never disclosed to anyone outside of Home-Start Dacorum (except where a child may be at risk).