Unique home visits support Wandsworth families

Isolation and a new baby meant life was tough for Bella. 

But with the help of a supportive volunteer visiting Bella each week, the new mum has gained the confidence to tackle life’s challenges.

“My Home-Start Wandsworth volunteer has helped me with a lot,” says the 21-year-old.
“Before, I was quite isolated and stuck in the house. Giving birth was difficult and my mental health went downhill.

“I’ve got ADHD so my house gets very easily cluttered and my volunteer has helped me with organising, getting out of the house, taking my daughter to playgroups and even meal prepping.

“My volunteer was so understanding and not judgmental.”

Home-Start Wandsworth is one of the Mayor of Wandsworth’s three chosen charities this year along with Tooting Community Kitchen and Rackets Cubed.

The independent charity helps families with children under the age of five across the borough with practical and emotional support.

Behind the scenes at Home-Start Wandsworth

Its unique home visiting service means families referred to the charity are matched with a volunteer – just like Bella and her one-year-old daughter Robyn – who spends time helping each week.

“We’ll do things the whole morning,” adds Bella, a licensed bus driver. “We’ve even been to look at a nursery and she helped me sign up for the gym.”

The support meant Bella gained confidence to go to Home-Start Wandsworth’s weekly activity sessions and meet other new mums, so she didn’t feel so alone.

Weekly group activities

The charity runs a lunch club every Wednesday at St Andrew’s Church on Garratt Lane in Earlsfield, and a stay and play group at Battersea Arts Centre on a Tuesday, as well as a walk and talk session on a Thursday.

Families can venture out into these safe and supportive places knowing they’ll be listened to, explains Home-Start Wandsworth manager Clare Wilson.

“People are referred to us because they need help getting through a really tricky time,” adds Clare, who was one of the charity’s volunteers before joining the staff team. 

“That could be mental or physical health, or financial hardship. We literally walk beside them for a period of time to help them to get back on their feet.”

For Wendy, a former member of the British Army King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery unit, moving to Wandsworth when she was heavily pregnant with her third child proved difficult.

“I was feeling lonely as I had just moved to the area,” says Wendy, 38, whose partner is often away with his own Army commitments.

“Being a new mum is hard and you need all the help you can get. Coming to the Home-Start Wandsworth groups helped me be more confident in making new friends.

“I’m happy that I belong somewhere now, I have a community and I don’t feel lonely any more.”

Volunteer support

Helping around 100 families each year, the charity is always on the lookout for more volunteers to help support its home visiting service and group activities.

With dedicated training taking place over eight weeks, volunteers are given all the help and guidance they need to support their match family.

Volunteer Suzy Robarts says she has “learned so much from these amazing families”

“To see them then go off into their lives with a bit more confidence and realising they can do anything and everything they want to do, it’s the best thing I do,” adds Suzy.

Recognising the school holidays can be really challenging times for families, Home-Start Wandsworth also organises days out ranging from beach trips and an annual family picnic, to Kew Gardens and the National Army Museum’s soft play centre.

“We know how important the first five years of a child’s life are,” acknowledges manager Clare. “If we can help that family when they are having difficulties, we know they will have a better long-term outcome.”

Find out more about the charity or becoming a volunteer at the Home-Start Wandsworth website.