Home-Start Wessex offers friendship, practical support and emotional advice to parents in crisis in Dorset, who have at least one child under 5.

Their mission is to give children the best possible start in life by supporting parents so that they grow in confidence, strengthen and enjoy their relationships with their children and widen their links with the local community.

Sometimes, parents need a bit of nurturing, support and guidance. Their specially trained volunteers visit families in their own homes to offer an extra pair of hands and a listening ear. The support can make a life-changing difference.

Alongside home visits, the charity runs Family Groups in Boscombe, Bridport, Kinson, Poole, Weymouth and Wimborne. These provide a safe and welcoming setting where parents can meet to gain new skills, improve confidence and make new friends.

They also run school readiness workshops and specialist support groups in two temporary hostels, which house mainly single mothers aged 18-25 and their children.

Since 1995, Home-Start Wessex has helped over 4,900 families, supporting over 12,000 children through a network of over 800 amazing volunteers.

In the last year, they helped a record number of families due to rising demand. The charity transformed 1,682 lives with almost 100% of the families supported reporting improved confidence and wellbeing.

Home Start Wessex covers a huge area with a population of over 650,000, including many pockets of high-level deprivation.

Their service is in more demand than ever. If you can commit to 2-3 hours each week to help, please contact heidi@homestartwessex.org.uk