Home-Start Elmbridge
Home-Start Elmbridge is committed to promoting the welfare of families. The earliest years make the biggest difference, so we aim to make sure those years count, so that no child's future is limited. We offer practical and emotional support to families who are struggling to cope for a variety of reasons. To be there for families when they need us the most because childhood can’t wait.
Home-Start Elmbridge is an independent family support charity, and we work with vulnerable families in the local community of Elmbridge. The families are very often subjected to one or more stress factors including poor mental or physical health, physical or learning disabilities, and those struggling to cope due to poor emotional wellbeing, anxiety, postnatal depression, poverty and debt, unsuitable housing, and social isolation. We help children suffering distress because they are subjects of neglect due to issues like domestic abuse, parental drug, or alcohol dependency. We are culturally sensitive, flexible, and accessible. We reach the most deprived and excluded families in Elmbridge. Working alongside parents, our early intervention support helps to build independence and resilience, empowering parents to build positive and healthy futures for their children.
Any family can be referred to Home-Start for support, the majority of families have children under the age of five but in recent years we have added extra services, within our framework, to provide support to families with children aged five to 11 years old.
We have continuing demand for our services, evidenced by the number and frequency of referrals, which we receive on a weekly basis. We work with approximately 180 families each year. Families can self-refer to us, but many of our referrals come from professionals, including Health Visitors, Social Care Professionals and Health Professions.
Your Impact
Our vision is to deliver a holistic approach to the support of families, so we offer several different support offerings including home-visiting volunteer support, crisis support, carer support, counselling, group work and Dad Matters support for fathers. All our offerings are free.
We believe that by getting involved in the first years of a child’s life, we can try to catch problems early, stop them deteriorating and where possible prevent other problems from developing. Working alongside parents, we help them cope with the stresses of life and ensure they have the skills, time, and strength they need to nurture their children. Because children’s wellbeing is dependent on the wellbeing of their families, we take a family approach, and by identifying the needs of the parents, whist keeping the needs of the children at the forefront, we work to ensure that the families receive a tailored wrap-around package of support. Introducing new, more positive models of behaviour from the start can mean better futures for the children, their families, and ultimately the community.
Failing to intervene at an early stage can lead to a multitude of negative consequences later in life. By then, it may be too late: these problems may be more serious, more damaging, and more costly to society to address once a person reaches adolescence or adulthood.
Our support should see the following benefits:
• Reduction in numbers of children in need and subject to safeguarding.
• Prevention of family crisis and breakdown.
• Reduction in social isolation and loneliness.
• Increase in self-esteem, confidence, and achievement within the family.
• Improvement in parenting skills / life skills leading to an increased ability of parents to engage and manage their children's behaviours and development needs.
• Improvement in family well-being and family relationships.
• Better management of day-to-day home life.
• Development of friendships and community connections.
• Increased access to appropriate facilities, services, and employment within the community.
