Home-Start is the UK's leading family support charity.

Through a network of nearly 16,000 trained parent volunteers UK wide, Home-Start supports thousands of parents who are struggling to cope. Our families need support for many reasons including post-natal illness, disability, bereavement, multiple birth, the illness of a parent or child, or social isolation. Parents supporting other parents: it's a simple idea that really works.

Here in Malvern we have provided the Home-Start service to local families for 6 years now, and hundreds of children have had a better start in life thanks to the dedication of our volunteers.

Our support is free, confidential and non-judgemental, and available to any parent who feels in need of a little extra help during the challenging early years of bringing up a family

Our volunteers, who have parenting experience themselves, can offer precious time for listening and talking, help with the children, practical help and reassurance, or support to use local services and resources.

Families are referred to Home- Start Malvern Hills by Health Visitors and other health professionals, Children's Centre and nursery staff, social workers, schools, or they contact us direct to ask for our help.

During 2007-2008, 88 families have benefited from the visits of our trained volunteers, who are in turn supported by our Organiser team based at our office in Barnards Green.

We have worked closely with Children's Centres to provide outreach services, and with other organisations and services locally.

With your help we can continue to support families in the Malvern Hills area in years to come.