Parents tell Commissioner for Children about importance of charity’s work

The Commissioner met families supported by the charity, together with volunteers and staff, during a visit to Home-Start Newry & Mourne, where he had chance to join a play session with parents and their children.

Parents explained some of the challenges they face when raising children – including the high cost of living, housing issues, isolation and loneliness, and parenting children with additional needs.

The Children’s Commissioner also had the chance to sit down and speak to Home-Start leaders from Home-Start Newry and Mourne, Home-Start Lisburn, Home-Start East Antrim and Home-Start Down District. They were able to share their experiences of supporting families in communities across Northern Ireland.

Bevin O’Hare, manager of Home-Start Newry & Mourne said: “We were delighted that Chris could come and meet parents and hear about the work we are doing here in Newry and across Northern Ireland. Families face so many challenges, but we know that if families get practical and emotional support and help early, they can flourish.

"Home-Starts show that visiting a family in their home can reduce their isolation, build their confidence and help them to access other support in the community. This can be life-changing for families and enables more children to have a happy, healthy childhood”

Chris Quinn, Commissioner for Children and Young People, said: "During my visit to Home-Start in Newry, I had the privilege of meeting parents, babies, carers and staff. Our discussions highlighted the profound impact that poverty and maternal mental health can have on families.

“It reinforced the need for accessible early intervention and support services, ensuring that parents receive the help they need from pregnancy through to motherhood. Investing in these services is vital to give mothers and their child the best support available."

Home-Start is a network of local charities helping families with young children through their challenging times. There are 15 Home-Starts in communities across Northern Ireland, and last year their skilled volunteer and staff teams helped over 2,500 families through compassionate, non-judgemental support.

Susan, one of the mums supported by Home-Start who met the Commissioner for Children and Young People, said: “I feel Home-Start has definitely played a big part in helping my daughter to grow and learn, to prepare her for preschool.

"Home-Start has also been a great help to myself as I have made some new friends, as it’s the only time I am really in adult company. The team are always there to answer questions and support us in the group if we have any concerns or worries or just give general advice. Home-Start is like one big family. You feel welcome each and every week and it’s a service I have appreciated being a part of.”

For over 50 years Home-Start has been supporting families through a mix of groups for parents and one-to-one support in a family’s home, and has shown that this support for parents with babies and young children increases their capacity to deal with challenges and build strong, nurturing relationships with their child.

Home-Starts have seen a huge growth in the number of families that they are supporting in recent years, while at the same time families are coming to Home-Start for support with more complex challenges. Families struggling with physical or mental health issues, isolation, bereavement and many other issues receive the support of a volunteer who will spend around two hours a week in a family’s home supporting them in the ways they need.

The majority of families supported by Home-Start are referred by their health visitor, and the support the charity provides is tailored to what the family need.

The science shows that experiences during early childhood, from pregnancy to the age of five, shape the rest of our lives and that children who are raised in a stable, loving family environment are more likely to have a positive and healthy future. Providing strong support to parents and carers, who are doing their best to provide for their families in incredibly challenging circumstances, is essential and can have a life-changing impact.

To find out more about Home-Start, or to sign up to become a volunteer for the Home-Start in your area visit www.home-start.org.uk.