Home-Start Norfolk offer a unique and personalised service to families with at least one child under the age of 5, by providing emotional and practical support to families who are struggling to cope with life’s difficulties. The charity recruits and trains friendly and caring volunteers (who are all parents themselves) to offer weekly home-visiting support to families in the greatest need. Our volunteers attend an accredited 8-week course which covers a vast number of topics including safeguarding, listening skills and child development. Our Family Support Coordinators work with a case load of families across the County. They visit the family in the home environment and work with them to produce an outcome plan that is realistic and achievable. Our Coordinator will then find a suitable Family Support Volunteer whose skill set would be best matched to supports the family’s needs. Each family’s support plan is tailored to address the family’s individual needs. Volunteers weekly visits may include: • Emotional support to a parent with mental health issues • Assistance to attend medical appointments • Advocacy for isolated families • Support to access groups and activities • Signposting to specialist support services • Practical help with organising the home and budgeting • Advice to implement good routines and boundaries At the end of each support period our Coordinator visit’s the family and assesses the progress made which allows the family to reflect on their journey and feel empowered by the changes that they have made.