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  • Lauren's story: From rock bottom to rising author

    Lauren's story: From rock bottom to rising author

    Read supported mum Lauren's inspiring story. She lost everything overnight and slowly, with the help of her Home-Start volunteer Margaret, was able to build it back up. She's now on a mission to help build up other mums. Read more

  1. Home
  2. Family stories

Family stories

Every family faces a unique set of difficulties. Every family that got through those hard times needed someone to help get them back on their own two feet.  

For these parents, Home-Start was the crucial help that allowed them to give their children the best possible start in life:

Lauren's story: From rock bottom to rising author

Lauren's story: From rock bottom to rising author

Read supported mum Lauren's inspiring story. She lost everything overnight and slowly, with the help of her Home-Start volunteer Margaret, was able to build it back up. She's now on a mission to help build up other mums. Read more

Published: 29th April, 2025

Updated: 30th April, 2025

Author: Beth Wilson

John -dads supporting each other

John -dads supporting each other

Being a dad for the first time is daunting and its even more of a challenge if you have problems with your mental or physical health. Read more

Published: 6th June, 2017

Updated: 16th June, 2017

Author: Matt Hann

Aminatu – supporting refugees in Cardiff

Aminatu – supporting refugees in Cardiff

Imagine you are in a foreign country, having been forced to flee your home because of war. Many Home-Starts are supporting a growing number of refugee families. Read more

Published: 6th October, 2016

Updated: 22nd August, 2018

Author: Matt Hann

Kris - five children under five

Kris - five children under five

"Carrying two children at a time is just normal to me", says Kris who had a son and two sets of twins. Read more

Published: 11th April, 2016

Updated: 18th April, 2016

Author: Anonymised User

Rahela - urban isolation

Rahela - urban isolation

Isolation doesn’t just affect families living in rural areas. People who live in towns and cities are just as likely to suffer from isolation and feel alone. Read more

Published: 8th April, 2016

Updated: 12th October, 2016

Author: Matt Hann

Danielle - coping with bereavement

Danielle - coping with bereavement

"I walked into the house and Isaac was still in his baby walker, wedged in the doorway. I knew something was drastically wrong". Read more

Published: 6th April, 2016

Updated: 22nd April, 2016

Author: Anonymised User

Michael - keeping children from care

Michael - keeping children from care

Michael is raising his three granddaughters on his own because of their mum's heroin and alcohol dependency. Read more

Published: 5th April, 2016

Updated: 18th April, 2016

Author: Anonymised User

Zoe - helping young parents

Zoe - helping young parents

Zoe and her sons were isolated and trapped in their flat. Too many stairs and no lift meant she and her young boys rarely left the house. Read more

Published: 5th April, 2016

Updated: 18th April, 2016

Author: Anonymised User

Nabilah - severe loneliness

Nabilah - severe loneliness

"Isolation and loneliness are just about the worst feelings. I was a scared to leave the house. I felt so alone." Read more

Published: 5th April, 2016

Updated: 20th April, 2016

Author: Anonymised User

Steve - children with disabilities

Steve - children with disabilities

Getting to the shops for a pint of milk was almost an impossible task for Steve until Michael, his Home-Start volunteer came along. Read more

Published: 5th April, 2016

Updated: 18th April, 2016

Author: Anonymised User

Pauline - facing personal tragedy

Pauline - facing personal tragedy

"My husband was killed by a drunk driver. He simply went to work and never came back. I was devastated. At the time my son was six and my twin daughters only three". Read more

Published: 5th April, 2016

Updated: 18th April, 2016

Author: Anonymised User

Forces families

Forces families

Home-Start works in British Forces bases in Cyprus as well as with families in bases, garrisons and barracks in the UK. Read more

Published: 20th February, 2016

Updated: 17th August, 2022

Author: Anonymised User

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Latest

  • Eve's story: I didn’t know if my daughter would survive the journey home from the maternity ward

    Eve's story: I didn’t know if my daughter would survive the journey home from the maternity ward

    Donna was Eve's volunteer who walked into her life at her lowest point. With Donna's support, she found the courage to open the door again and even step out. Before Donna, she couldn't.

  • Emily's story: Having Judith there means I can breathe

    Emily's story: Having Judith there means I can breathe

    Mum Emily tells us how isolating being a parent became for her and how living with a disability adds another layer. Judith, her Home-Start volunteer helped to make life's challenges feel easier.

  • Lauren's story: I felt invisible, but someone finally believed in me

    Lauren's story: I felt invisible, but someone finally believed in me

    Lauren had complications during her pregnancy, but that was just the start of what she had to face. Her son was born with several needs which led to him having a gastrostomy. All of this, feeling anxious and overwhelmed meant her mental health collapsed. Lauren didn't want to accept Home-Start support at first, but her Home-Start volunteer Alison believed in her and that made all the difference.

  • Gina's story: Hopeless and homeless, until Home-Start helped us

    Gina's story: Hopeless and homeless, until Home-Start helped us

    Mum Gina explains how her family faced isolation, eviction and homelessness. Vital support through Home-Start helped them survive a situation no family should ever have to face.

Most read

  • Where we work

    Where we work

    Find your nearest Home-Start using our online map.

  • About us

    About us

    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 because childhood can’t wait.

  • Work for Home-Start UK

    Work for Home-Start UK

    The people at Home-Start are its most important resource. Home-Start UK has been accredited with Investors in People since March 2005, which recognises the commitment we give to developing our staff. Please find below current vacancies within Home-Start UK.

  • Make a referral

    Make a referral

    We receive referrals from health visitors, GPs, social care and child care practitioners as well as those involved in mental health services, education, early years and probation.

  • Find your local Home-Start

    Click on your area to find your local Home-Start.

  • Find a Home-Start in Scotland

    Find a Home-Start in Scotland

    Find your nearest Home-Start in Scotland

  • Register your interest in Volunteering

    Register your interest in Volunteering

    Are you interested in volunteering for Home-Start? Fill out the form and someone will be in touch.

  • Find a Home-Start in Northern Ireland

    Find a Home-Start in Northern Ireland

    Find your nearest Home-Start in Northern Ireland

  • Find a Home-Start in Wales

    Find a Home-Start in Wales

    Find your nearest Home-Start in Wales

  • Home-visiting

    Home-visiting

    Starting in the home, our approach is as individual as the people we’re helping. No judgement, just compassionate, confidential help and expert support.

Because childhood can't wait

The earliest years make the biggest difference. Home-Start makes sure those years count, so no child's future is limited. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 19th March, 2015

Updated: 2nd February, 2026

Author:

Comments: 8

Help us change a child's future

The earliest years make the biggest difference. Home-Start makes sure those years count, so no child's future is limited. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 9th April, 2026

Updated: 30th April, 2026

Author: Beth Wilson

Help give another child the best start in life

The earliest years make the biggest difference. Home-Start makes sure those years count, so no child's future is limited. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 9th April, 2026

Author: Beth Wilson

  • Having the support to build myself up from the ground up means the boys have a happier mum and a more stable home life.

  • Rebbekah

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Home-Start UK. A charitable company limited by guarantee. Charity no. in England and Wales 1108837 and in Scotland SC039172. Company no. 5382181.

Registered office: Clarence House, 46 Humberstone Gate, Leicester LE1 3PJ. © Home-Start UK

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Home-Start UK. A charitable company limited by guarantee. Charity no. in England and Wales 1108837 and in Scotland SC039172. Company no. 5382181.
Registered office: Clarence House, 46 Humberstone Gate, Leicester LE1 3PJ. © Home-Start UK

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