How to get help from Home-Start
All parents struggle at one time or another. For some, the challenges can be greater. You are not alone.
Support from Home-Start
There is no rulebook for raising a family and sometimes it can seem overwhelming, particularly if your family is going through difficult times.
Many parents may need friendship, advice or support during those early years when children are young.
How to get help
Home-Start support is completely free, you do not have to pay for any of our support and it is entirely voluntary.
It might be suggested to you by a health visitor, a doctor or another professional but it is entirely up to you if you want to work with Home-Start.
We are very experienced in matching families with volunteers who we think will understand your situation and be able to work with you. If either you or the volunteer is not happy you can end the relationship and try another match.
All of our support is confidential. You don’t have to tell anyone that you are being supported by Home-Start, and we will never tell anyone else unless you say that we can.
Home-Start East Lothian groups
We hold regular groups at local venues where you and your children can come along and meet other families. Your children get the chance to play, learn and have fun with other children and with different books and toys. You get the chance to meet and talk to other parents – and many parents discover they are going through the same kinds of experiences and feel less alone. Our groups are a great place for parents to pick up advice, tips and help from Home-Start and other parents.
Caterpillars to Butterflies Haddington
Stay and Play for children 0 – 24 months. Come along and meet other parents while the children play
Later Daze Tranent
This is a group for anyone with a 6 – 24 month old. Come and meet new parents with babies of similar age.
Caterpillars to Butterflies Dunbar
Stay and Play for children 0 – 24 months. Come along and meet other parents while the children play
Early Daze
This is a group for anyone with a 0 – 6 month old. Come and meet new parents with babies of similar age.
Mothers Babies Together
Breastfeeding Support – Breastfeeding Peer Support Group. Older children, partners or supportive people welcome
Noah’s Ark
Stay and Play for multiple birth families children 0 – 36 months. Come along and meet other parents while the children play. Trinity Church Hall, Haddington. Mondays 10-11.30am.
Dads To Be
A 4 week group for dads – if you are having a baby or know someone having a baby and they want to prepare for fatherhood in advance of their baby’s birth.
A wonderful course covering
- Labour and Birth / Supporting your birth partner
- Baby care skills – nappies, bathing, sleep and safety
- Feeding
- PND, Baby brain development and communication with new experiences
Email Kevin at dadswork@hotmail.co.uk
Testimonials
It has enabled me to be a better Mum because of the support I have had.
Just knowing that, on a certain day, I would have a second pair of hands was wonderful and a great help to all of us.
My volunteer was like the hand that supports a toddler’s first steps… Home-Start reminded me that, without me taking care of myself, I wouldn’t be able to care for others.
Our volunteer has given our children confidence and freedom to be themselves.
She (the volunteer) was a regular part of the children’s lives, so I knew that they trusted her… It was the regularity that made it such a support – something to look forward to when things were difficult.
Become a Home-Start Volunteer Today
Home-Start’s team of trained volunteers make sure a child’s early years count. By volunteering just a few hours each week you can transform the lives of young children and their parents in your community.