Home-Start Isle of Wight

Contact Details

Tel.01983 533357
Contact Name: Shahida Nehori
E-Mail: homestartiow@btconnect.com

Website: http://www.home-start.org.uk

Costs: There is a charge for this activity

Address:Exchange House, St Cross Lane
Newport
Isle of Wight
UK
Postcode: PO30 5BZ (View on Map)

Get directions using Transportdirect.info (you will need the postcode PO30 5BZ)

Description of Service / Activities

HOME-START IS....?

Voluntary organisation which offers the support of a trained parent volunteer to another parent who is facing difficulty and has at least one child under 5 in the family.

The friendship, practical and emotional support provided by the volunteer in the family's own home enables the parents to cope with the pressures they are facing and reduces the potential for family crisis and breakdown.

Volunteers are there to support parents and their children in any way that the family finds most useful, which may differ from, but be complimentary to, professional approaches and priorities.

Home-Start started in Leicester in the early 1970's, since then it has spread throughout the U.K. and abroad. The I.O.W. scheme was set up in 1996 and last year helped 79 families across the Island.

HOW ARE FAMILIES REFERRED?

Any family with at least one child in the family under 5 can be referred by a professional such as a G.P., Health Visitor, Social Worker, Teacher or Playgroup worker. Families can also refer themselves by ringing the Home-Start Office.

HOW TO REFER A FAMILY:

• Talk to the family about Home-Start and how it might help.
  
  
• Ask the family's permission to contact Home-Start.
  
  
• Contact the Home-Start Office.
  
  

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Shahida, the Home-Start Organiser, visits all new referrals to tell families about Home-Start and find out exactly what their needs are.  A suitable volunteer is then matched with the family who will visit, usually for 3 to 4 hours a week, for as long as the family feels the need for support.

THE VOLUNTEERS ARE...

People of all ages and backgrounds who have parenting skills. They need no specific qualifications, but they must be able to listen with understanding, willing to commit 3 to 4 hours a week of their time on a regular basis and, above all, maintain confidentiality.

VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING

All prospective volunteers are thoroughly vetted to ensure their suitability for working with families with young children. These checks include:

• Police check
  
  
• Dept. of Health/Social Security checks
  
  
• 2 Personal References
  
  
• 2 Proofs of I.D.
  
  
• A home visit and interview by the Organiser.

 

All volunteers attend a preparation course of 1 day a week for 10 weeks.

Volunteers support families facing a variety of difficulties including:

• Loneliness
  
  
• Multiple births
  
  

Age Limits
Lowest Age: n/a, Highest Age: n/a

Related Links

• Homestart