Home-Start Derby may be able to help you by offering you a volunteer if you:

•live in the Derby area
•have one or more children under the age of 5
•are going through a difficult time in your life

There are many reasons why you may need us. Perhaps you are:
•feeling isolated, maybe with no family nearby and struggling to make friends
•suffering with post-natal depression and maybe finding it hard to talk to anyone about it
•having a hard time coping with your child’s illness or disability
being affected by the death of a family member
•struggling with the emotional and practical demands of twins, triplets or children under 5
•finding it hard to cope with relationship difficulties
•feeling exhausted or depressed
•coping with your own illness or disability

If we think you qualify for our service, a carefully selected and trained volunteer, who has parenting experience, can visit you regularly for 2-3 hours a week in your own home. Our volunteers are there to offer emotional and practical support which is based on what we together agree would be helpful. Our support is
flexible and responsive to your needs and can include:

•being a listening ear or someone to talk to
adult company
•helping and playing with your children
•reassurance
•help to find out about and access other local amenities and services
•encouragement and motivation
•practical help

If you are a parent looking for support, please contact your GP or health visitor to refer you to us. The information you provide will help us ensure that the support you receive is appropriate and effective.