More than 500 families in crisis across Dorset have had their lives transformed over the past 12 months.
Families charity Home-Start Wessex has helped a record 501 families in the last year, its highest-ever number and a 25 per cent increase compared to last year.
When sister company Home-Start West Dorset became a victim of the funding crisis in October 2023, Home-Start Wessex immediately extended its reach to support families in the west of the county, including Dorchester, Weymouth, Portland, Bridport and Lyme Regis.
The charity now covers a huge area with a population of more than 650,000, including many pockets of high-level deprivation.
Over the last year, the charity has transformed 1,682 lives, with 96 per cent of families supported reporting improved confidence and 98 per cent of parents supported reporting improved wellbeing.
During the year, the charity has run weekly support groups across Dorset as well as providing one-to-one support for families and delivering school readiness workshops.
Two weekly support groups in temporary hostels, which house single mothers aged 18-25 and their children, are now up and running.
More referrals are being received for parents living in these types of accommodations who are struggling with parenting due to their living circumstances, mental wellbeing, and isolation.
Kathy Fryatt-Banks, CEO of Home-Start Wessex, said: “This year marked the 50th year of Home-Start services across the UK and right now, our services are more valuable than ever. With more people in crisis, more families becoming homeless and more single parents than ever before, we are in high demand.
"We have adapted and grown to meet changing needs and lifestyles and created more and more ways of helping parents and children. We have achieved our ambitious target to support 500 families locally, increasing our support and services across Home-Start Wessex by a further 25% since last year. As we approach our own 30th anniversary locally next year, we hope to build more connections and touch the lives of many more people."
She was nominated following her unwavering determination to ensure families could continue to be supported following the closure of Home-Start West Dorset.
As well as volunteering for the past four years and supporting families and children with multiple high-level challenges and needs, Chantal was instrumental in reaching out to fellow volunteers to find a solution.
Home-Start Wessex volunteers offer friendship, practical support and advice to families who are facing difficulties, including poor mental health, depression, disability, domestic abuse, bereavement, isolation and multiple births.
The reach covers the Purbecks, Swanage, Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport, the whole of the BCP Council area and across the borders of Hampshire and Wiltshire.
Their service is in more demand than ever. If you can commit to 2-3 hours each week to help, please contact heidi@homestartwessex.org.uk
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