Our Mission

We believe that children need a happy and secure childhood and that parents play the key role in giving their children a good start in life and helping them to achieve their full potential OUR MISSION "We offer support, friendship and practical help to parents during difficult times in their lives and with at least one child under 5 years of age." We aim to be: 1. An effective agent for change in families experiencing loneliness, isolation and stress 2. To help families towards increased confidence and independence 3. To maintain a consistent and quality service to families in Brent 4. To work in partnership with other statutory, community and voluntary agencies and complement existing service provision as applicable and appropriate. Our Management Committee is made up of members from the community and in the fields of health, social services & the legal profession. Management Committee members are all volunteers. Click here to see our Organisational chart.

The Home-Start Brent scheme begins its 9th year of operation in January 2005. It currently has 1 full time and 9 part-time staff, 64 volunteers and 12 management committee members, with representatives from health, social services, community agencies, volunteers and families. In the last year, over 230 families have been supported through home visiting, group activities, events, outings, newsletters etc. Volunteers have provided support in the form of advocacy, advice and information on statutory services, organised activities, transport to and from appointments and a sympathetic ear. During the last year, our volunteers put in over 5000 volunteer hours. Home-Start Brent offers a non-stigmatising, informal and friendly service to families and delivers a creative solution to a community problem i.e. the isolation, stress and pressures of raising a family. Our volunteers choose to give their time and their commitment to families. Through the privilege of getting to know a family, the volunteers can encourage the family's strengths and share their own experience and knowledge of raising children to the mutual benefit of both. In this way a more equal relationship is formed that is based on mutual trust and respect and which in turn can have positive benefits for the children. This highlights the importance and uniqueness of our work, the difference a volunteer can make to a parent struggling to cope with overwhelming pressures. At Home-Start Brent, we value and build on the natural abilities, experiences and life skills of volunteers and family members. The relationship between the Home-Start Brent volunteer and the family is established by choice and based on equal status not power or money. We recognise and accept the diversity of families. Home-Start Brent and Home-Start National work within and demonstrate the essential philosophy and ethos of: • choice • openness • kindness • Hope • caring • flexibility • partnership • encouragement • responsiveness and • enjoyment! USER/FAMILY PROFILE Home-Start Brent families come from a range of background but 75% are on low incomes and are single parents. These families cover the age spectrum, ranging from 14 years to 40+ and come from many sections of Brent’s diverse community Families' can self refer but more often we receive referrals from health visitors, social workers, churches, schools, community and voluntary organisations! These families may be isolated, depressed, in poor health or have housing difficulties. They may have a disability, be lone parents, have literacy or language difficulties or have refugee status. They may have experienced a drastic change in circumstances such as a new baby, bereavement, divorce/separation or a move because of domestic violence or harassment. Some families may find the responsibilities of being parents overwhelming and simply need a sympathetic ear, information and encouragement.

TOP

 

Registered charity 1110536 Home-Start Brent (c) designed Xtraordinary Designz.com

 

WebMaster