Home-Start in Suffolk has been supporting families since 1999 as they navigate challenges which include, isolation, poverty, mental health, illness, bereavement, and domestic abuse. Last year our volunteers supported 570 families but due to the pandemic there has been a 46% increase in demand over the past six months which means that we are now short of 80 volunteers to ensure that every family receives the support they need at a time they need it.
“The pandemic has placed immense pressure on families, and not just what we see each day with the effects of the previous school closures. But for babies born in lockdown who have missed opportunities to socialise, parents who held it together during the lockdowns to support their children but are now at breaking point, children who are anxious about the effects of the pandemic on themselves and loved ones, carers devoid of respite. For families the effects of this pandemic are not letting up. And not only that, fuel prices rising, supply challenges, increases in heating costs, all widen the gap for families who were already struggling to manage,” explains Tara Spence, CEO Home-Start in Suffolk.
Home-Start in Suffolk can’t solve a family’s problems, but as a Suffolk County Council Commissioned provider, they can work with a diverse range of families across Suffolk to help them cope a bit better, and through their incredible team of more than 270 fully trained volunteers who provide weekly 1 to 1 support Home-Start in Suffolk can give families respite from their challenges and work with them to get things in place to help manage things a bit better. Each family’s support is personalised, considering the family’s needs and wishes, volunteers’ skills and at the core of this, the very special relationship between the family and volunteer, which is what gives 85% of families a positive outcome from working with Home-Start in Suffolk.
“We couldn’t do without our volunteers,” continues Tara, “and neither could Suffolk, which is one of the reasons that this summer Home-Start in Suffolk’s volunteers were recognised for their incredible work and awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service – the equivalent of an MBE for Voluntary services.”
With increases in referrals at an all-time high, the need to recruit and train new volunteers is ever increasing too. If you are interested in finding out more about joining the amazing team of volunteers call 01473 621104 or email jean@homestartinsuffolk.org
Other ways to help:
In Christmas 2020 Home-Start in Suffolk supported more families than ever and the launch of their special Christmas Campaign, giving vouchers for both supermarkets and toy stores to help struggling families during the festive period was a huge success!
So many families benefitted from this campaign thanks to the Suffolk community’s generosity, but sadly, with the huge rise in need across Suffolk, even more people will need help this year.
Support a Suffolk family this festive season and join in the Christmas Campaign 2021!
If you would like to get involved and contribute to our Christmas Gift Cards Campaign for families we would like to suggest the following:
Gift Cards for the Supermarkets: Tesco . Morrisons . ASDA . Sainsbury's . Lidl . Aldi
Gift Cards for the following stores: The Entertainer . Smyths Toy Store
Please send vouchers to: Home-Start in Suffolk, 8a The Square, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, IP5 3SL
If you or anyone you know is in need of Home-Start in Suffolk support call 01473 621104 or visit www.homestartinsuffolk. In addition to the 1-to-1 volunteer support, Home-Start in Suffolk run a series of groups across the county. More details can be found on the website in the section dedicated to Groups.
