Home-Start is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times. We are there for parents when they need us the most.

Home-Start works with families in homes and communities right across the UK. Starting in the home, our approach is tailored to what the family needs. No judgement, it's just compassionate, confidential help and expert support.

Last year Home-Start supported 76,750 children in 58,938 families, in communities across the UK.

How Home-Start can support your family

Being a parent has never been easy. It can be lonely, frustrating and over-whelming. Life-changing events can happen to anyone. 

Every Home-Start volunteer is trained to alongside you to overcome the challenges you are facing. 

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Where Home-Starts work

There are around 175 local, independent Home-Starts working in areas across the UK offering support tailored to what families need.

Families struggling with post-natal depression, isolation, physical health problems, bereavement and many other issues receive the support of a volunteer who will spend around two hours a week in a family’s home supporting them in the ways they need.

In 2024, our data shows that the most common family circumstances supported by Home-Start were:

Home-Starts across the UK also help families through support groups, host day trips, Christmas parties and help parents access local services, and much more.

Find your local Home-Start

The earliest years make the biggest impact

The earliest years make the biggest impact: Home-Start makes sure those years count so that no child’s future is limited.

Children who are raised in a stable, loving, family environment are more likely to have a positive and healthy future.

“We feel happy when our dad feels happy.”

Volunteers are at the heart of Home-Start

At the heart of each Home-Start’s work is home visiting volunteer support. Volunteers go into family homes every week to support parents in whatever way they need. Across all four nations of the United Kingdom, thousands of home-visiting volunteers support families to transform their lives.

Home-Start works because our volunteers understand how hard it can be. They work alongside parents, in their own homes, to help them cope with the stresses and strains of life and make sure they have the skills, confidence and strength they need to nurture their children.

Volunteer for Home-Start

With the help of a Home-Start volunteer, the impossible becomes possible.

Home-Start's history

Home-Start started in 1973. We were founded by Margaret Harrison who believed that supporting a family was best done in their home where it can be shaped to the needs of the family. She realised that if parents get support and friendship from another parent, they will be better equipped to learn to cope with the many difficulties life can bring and will be able to give their children the best possible start to their own lives.

This idea that started in Leicester, spread across the UK and is now a movement around the world. There are now 22 countries on five continents that have Home-Starts providing support for families.