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DEVELOPING A HOME-START SCHEME FOR ANDOVER & DISTRICT
Home-Start is a charity that offers support for families in crisis, who have a child or children under 5.
It recruits and prepares volunteers who have had parenting experience themselves. These volunteers visit families, by invitation, in their home to provide non-judgmental practical and emotional support and friendship for as long as it is needed. Some examples of ways volunteers can help is by playing with the children so that Mum can have some time for herself, helping with household jobs, listening to concerns over a cup of coffee and supporting the families to attend local community events.
The crisis experienced by the family may be due to health problems, multiple births, feeling isolated, especially in the out-lying villages, physical or emotional problems being experienced by either the parents or the children or any other of the difficulties which impact on a large number of families.
Sometimes the extended family are in a position to offer the support offered by the volunteers at these times of crisis but in today’s society where families are very much more mobile or where family difficulties exist this support is not always available. Volunteers fill this gap for the benefit of the children and the family.
The evidence from research shows that children who experience good parenting and stability in the family home are more likely to develop into successful young people and adults. Many things can disrupt a parent’s best intentions and commitment to providing this good start for their children.
Home-Start is not yet available in Andover and District but a group of committed people are moving towards achieving this objective. A steering group has already been formed and has met, research we have carried out has told us that there is a need in this area for such a scheme and we are now looking for local people with some time to give who might like to become trustees. If you feel that this worthwhile project is something you could get involved in, please contact Victoria Ashdown on 01264 357032, The Rectory, 1 Ryon Close, Andover SP10 4DG. Also have a look at Home-Start’s excellent website www.home-start.org.uk
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