“My confidence was low as can be, and I was constantly seeking others’ reassurance and opinions in a way that didn’t feel healthy. I suffer with mental health struggles and was with the perinatal mental health team for a while. Home-Start helped me throughout an ongoing distressing time and made huge efforts to link me with places to go and meet new parents, especially with ones that understood having babies during the pandemic and the grief that comes with that.”
Below you will see the range of projects that we run to support families in our local communities. From Parent Infant Mental Health to Autism and ADHD support, we have a variety of projects that compliment our home-visiting support.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Home-Start offers weekly practical and emotional support for families with low to medium mental health difficulties. Weekly support at home, by telephone and within the community is provided for parents experiencing low mood, depression, anxiety, stress, phobia, poor self-confidence, alcohol misuse, relationship difficulties and those suffering the effects of living in poverty.
Support is relaxed and informal, allowing time and space for parents to share their difficulties with our Emotional Wellbeing Support Worker and trained Volunteers.
Home-Start understands the challenges parents and carers may face if they are experiencing poor mental health and the impact this may have on their children. That’s why early intervention is key to supporting these families.
The Emotional Wellbeing Support Worker will help families manage their emotional wellbeing on a daily basis, improving their coping strategies and building on their confidence and strengths. Parent volunteers may also offer longer-term support if required.
Please see our poster for further details.
Rochdale Autism and ADHD Support Service (RAASS)
The new RAASS support service for families on the Autistic Spectrum and those who are on the pathway.
Families who have a child with ADHD, sensory issues, behavioural difficulties, and additional needs may also access a range of support too.
Home visiting, telephone, group support and information sessions are available for families who have children up to their 12th birthday.
We understand how difficult it can be raising a child with additional needs and disabilities. Our Coordinator and Support Worker have experience of living and working with children who are on the Autistic Spectrum, so they understand how challenging this can be.
We have a Family Engagement Support Worker and trained parent volunteers to offer regular emotional and practical support for families, to help reduce stress and improve coping strategies.
Please see our poster for further details.
Parent Infant Mental Health (PIMH)
The Parent Infant Mental Health Coordinator and our team of Parent Volunteers who deliver the support, access further training to help parents to appreciate and understand knowledge around Bonding and Attachment, Infant brain development, Birth and the Babies first year.
Families living in Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton, Pennines & soon coming to the Bury area, who are expecting a baby or have a child under 2 years, can access Home-Visiting support.
Families who are experiencing other factors including but not exclusive to: adolescent parents, first time parents, low birth weight infants, parents with a diagnosis of mental health illness, development concerns and disability can also access this service.
Please see our poster for further details.
Readiness for School
School Readiness starts from birth with the support of parents and caregivers.
Young children are supported to build their language, social, emotional and communication skills, right from the start.
There are many things we can all do to help, by giving a small amount of time each day to
encourage play, talking and sharing time together and most importantly having fun.
For parents and children, starting school can be a big deal and knowing what is expected can be worrying. Home-Start can be there to offer emotional support and reassurance.
Please see our poster for further details.