Become a Friend of Homestart Merton
As families turn to us in ever increasing numbers we see first-hand the pressures on family life - poverty, income inequality, stress arising from the work-life balance, isolation, loneliness and mental and physical illness.
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Being a parent, wherever you live or whatever the situation, is not easy. Many parents feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the stresses of family life with under 5-'s. It is even more difficult if family or friends are unable to offer you support and a breathing space when you most need them. Some parents lose confidence in their ability to cope and most can remember days when they would have liked someone to turn to. Home-start's vision is a society in which every parent has the support they need to give their children the best possible start in life. With your help this can become a reality in Merton. |
Become a friend of Home-Start Merton by donating an annual subscription of £30 per year and in return you will have the knowledge that you are helping to secure a better start in life for Merton's vulnerable children.
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Our approach is simple, but effective "When
my support with Home-Start began in 2001, I was a new mum to a beautiful
6 month old baby. I had just moved into a new flat with my partner and
for the first time in my life, I had stress from not only being a mother
but also looking after a home as well. At that stage Home-Start was a
break from stress and gave me a chance to act like a human being again
and have adult conversations. Through the year's Home-Start helped and
guided me on not only how to cope but also were able to keep my mind active
with various classes and I.T. courses. They were also very helpful with
practical matters such as housing matters when my family grew but my flat
didn't. One of the Home-Start volunteers even accompanied me to a Housing
Association in London Bridge for not only the practical help but also
moral support when sorting out my new flat. Then when my marriage broke
down they were instantly there providing emotional support and also providing
me with a Home-Start volunteer to provide a one on one connection that
I needed to help me out of depression. They also gave me the strength
and encouragement to apply to further myself into education and throughout
my Access to Health & Social Care course they regularly checked up
on me and were always happy to hear my progress. Through their continuous
support I have been able to pick myself up and start all over again, not
only passing my college course but being offered a place at Kingston University
this September to take a Degree in Adult Nursing. Knowing that they were
always there to back me up and help me out with anything and everything
gave me the strength to follow and achieve my dream of becoming a midwife.
If someone had said to me 5 years ago that in 2006 I would be starting
a Degree Course at University I would never have believed it and would
have laughed at them. Well here I am today, about to do just that. Thank
you Home-Start for being with me throughout my journey." |
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Click here to read more stories from families that Home-Start Merton have helped.
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Across
England the average looked after child costs Social Services £585
per week and other Children in Need £140 per week, leading to an
average cost per child in need of £260 per week. (Source: CiN census
Feb 2003)
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Last
year it cost Home-Start Merton just £15 per week to support a child
and £30 per week to support the whole family. Families are supported
by Home-Start Merton for as long as it is necessary.
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If you would like to help more families like the one above and become a friend of Home-start please complete this form.
For more information, contact us.
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