Get Support
If you live in Bristol or South Gloucestershire, have at least one child under five and feel you would benefit from the support of a volunteer, you can refer yourself by completing a short referral form (pdf). Once we have received your referral we aim to match you with a volunteer within 4-6 weeks.
Family Stories
One Mother tells her story:
“At 34 years old I was a Mum to two beautiful girls aged three and twenty months when I unexpectedly suffered a stroke. I was lucky to survive but was left struggling to manage the effects and felt unsupported by the Health Service. That’s when I gave Home-Start Bristol a call and soon a volunteer was visiting me every Wednesday in my own home. It was a real support and comfort to know I didn’t have to rely on friends all the time. The volunteer who came was gentle and unassuming and affirmed me as a parent helping my confidence to grow. I will always be grateful for her help during what was a very difficult time.”
This mum went on to become a Trustee of Home-Start Bristol, helping the organisation to continue in its work for families.
What Families Say
When Home-Start support is concluded the family is asked to fill out an evaluation form. Here are just a few of the comments made from families in Bristol and South Gloucestershire:
‘Home-Start was absolutely fantastic, a real support and great help, emotionally, physically and mentally’
‘I am hugely grateful to Home-Start for providing me with a volunteer… thank you! It really was a huge help to me’
Useful Links
Information for Professionals
In any local community Home-Start will be one of several organizations working with families and we value our relationships with other agencies. Since Home-Start is a voluntary organisation it can offer a flexible approach to individual families.
Home-Start support is not a substitute for professional services but complementary to them, and the best results are achieved through an active partnership between professionals and Home-Start.
Who can refer families to Home-Start?
The main referrers to Home-Start are health visitors and professionals in the social care and early years sectors. Others include GP’s and those working in the fields of mental health, education and probation. Families can also self refer.
If you would like to refer someone to Home-Start Bristol, download our referral form (pdf).