大象传媒

Social distancing, isolation, bereavement and the financial pressures of COVID-19 are placing enormous strain on families. Parents already facing challenges such as poor mental health, illness and low wages are being hit hardest. The charity Home-Start UK has moved fast to provide them and their children with the support they need. They have moved essential support services online and their network of 1,000 locally-based staff and 13,000 volunteers is playing an important part in local community response efforts across the UK 鈥� delivering essential supplies and linking families into resources such as foodbanks, meals and public health services. Home-Start wants to be there for all of the families facing difficulties at this time.聽

Mercedes (whose story you hear in the Appeal) was already being supported by Home-Start before the Coronavirus hit. Her son Toby was born with bilateral talipes 鈥� both his feet were turned inward. He had to spend 23 hours a day in a brace to help straighten his feet which made it difficult to hold and feed him. When the pandemic stopped her from leaving her house and meeting other mums, the worry over her son, countless hospital appointments and the isolation became overwhelming for her. But fortunately Home-Start was still there making sure she could cope. The Home-Start volunteer Beth kept in regular touch with her by phone and Mercedes was able to attend Home-Start鈥檚 weekly group video call with other mums. Mercedes said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 what kept me sane. I couldn鈥檛 thank them more for everything鈥�.聽

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on families over the past few months, and Home-Start staff and volunteers have had to think of new ways to support them. We have provided emergency supplies such as baby goods, food and care packages for families in critical need. We have also set up and run new online groups and support sessions, and dozens of local Home-Starts have been given the vital equipment they needed to enable them to carry on supporting families by phone and online.

As we emerge from the current crisis, Home-Start is helping to rebuild communities affected by the pandemic. Our volunteers are supporting anxious parents who are going out and meeting other new parents for the first time after such a long time in lockdown. They are helping parents develop the friendships and connections they will need as their children grow up. At a time when so many families are feeling alone, the compassionate, confidential support that Home-Start volunteers offer is needed now more than ever. In the coming months, we will work harder than ever to find ways to make sure families continue to have the support they need.