Home-Start a registered charity was set up by a group of local people who realised the value and advantages of offering friendship and support to families in the early years of parenthood.

Rooted in the community Home-Start understands the challenges and disadvantages that living in a rural environment presents to some families.

Support from Home-Start helps parents to make connections with peers, build their social networks, normalise the challenges of parenting and receive practical help. This support is provided in a holistic way, tailored to the particular needs of the family.

Some of the parents have experience of childhood trauma and find it difficult to build strong attachment with their own babies and toddlers. Supporting and scaffolding families in the early years of a child’s development has wide health and economic benefits for the community.

It is widely recognised that what happens in the first 1,001 days of life, from pregnancy onwards, lays the foundations for physical and mental health, Home-Start is the only Third sector organisation working and supporting families in this area.