Home-Start Calderdale offers support, friendship and practical help to parents with young children.

Home-Start believes that the parents play the key role in ensuring that children have a happy and secure childhood, but even the most dedicated parents can face challenges that prevent them from doing all they want for their children. We support parents as they grow in confidence, strengthen their relationship with their children and widen their links with the local community. Our committed and caring volunteers, who are usually parents themselves offer friendship and informal support to parents with young children under five during difficult times in their lives. They visit families at home and are friendly, approachable people who are relied on and trusted by parents to listen without being judgemental, and to respect the needs of each individual family. To Home-Start every family is special and we respond to each family's needs through a combination of home visiting support, group work and social events.

Why the community needs this charity

Prevention is better that the cure and Home-Start Calderdale is primarily a preventative service that helps parents when difficulties first arise. Parents often claim that they find it easier to talk to "ordinary people" who know what it is like to bring up children and to accept help from them rather than professionals. Diffident ond fearful parents often put on a brave face and believe that they have to stand on their own 2 feet, but respond well to non-judgemental, genuine offers of help.

Results and outcomes

* Parental self esteem, confidence and parenting capacity improved * Parental and child emotional well-being increases * Families receive support in thier own home for 2-3 hours every week * Children have a positive role model in their lives * Children have an adult on hand to provide stimulating and educational play thus improving school attainment * Parents are suported to provide routine and boundaries which eases stress, provides consistency and improves behaviour. * Fewer children in care.

Latest activities and projects

Charity Ball

This year we are holding our first ever charity ball. We need to sell 150 tickets to this prestigious event where guests will be entertained, wined and dined and encouraged to dance the night away! Tickets are £35 per head and a table of 10 guests has one free place - buy 9 get one free!! Come along, enjoy a great night and raise much needed funds for a local charity. read more