Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire
Transforming the lives of vulnerable families for 36 years,
Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire stands as a vital community lifeline. Supporting almost 200 families across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse annually, their reach continues to grow, with 317 children benefiting from their services last year alone.
The organisation focuses on families with at least one child aged five or younger who may be facing challenges. These include isolation, mental health issues, low self-esteem, illness, disability, financial difficulties, or trauma. What sets Home-Start apart is their compassionate, non-judgmental approach, offering confidential help precisely where families need it most.
Valuable volunteer visits
At the heart of Home-Start are their dedicated volunteers who visit families weekly for 2-3 hours. These carefully selected individuals undergo a comprehensive 5-week Volunteer Preparation Course before being matched with families. They receive ongoing support through regular supervisions with Family Co-ordinators at least every 6 weeks and mandatory safeguarding refresher courses.
Volunteers also benefit from additional training in areas such as parent-infant mental health, attachment, domestic abuse, fuel poverty and neurodiversity. With this thorough preparation, they provide both practical assistance and emotional support, from accompanying parents to appointments and baby groups to simply lending a sympathetic ear. This support proves especially valuable in rural areas where isolation often compounds other difficulties.
Beyond home visits, Home-Start runs their popular Baby & Me Group every Tuesday from 10-11:30am at the District Community Centre, Great Western Park, Didcot. This weekly drop-in for parents and babies up to 15 months has supported 163 beneficiaries since launching in June 2024. They also offer a monthly twins session on the first Tuesday of each month, creating a space where parents of twins can share their unique experiences.
Home-Start also works closely with local services and health visitors, ensuring families receive comprehensive support through effective signposting and referrals.
Volunteer Opportunity
Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire are always looking for more people to join their team of over 40 trained home-visitors. Their next Volunteer Preparation Course starts on 22nd April 2025. If you’re interested in making a meaningful difference in your community, please email them, call 01235 511152, or visit their website.
Written by Jaime Hewett, OCVA Development Officer
