The donation is in support of the Isolated Families Project which aims to reduce the impact that isolation can have on families with young children in West Berkshire. According to the charity, parents with poor mental health report finding parenting difficult and often struggle with their child's behaviour.
Home-Start Aims to overcome all these issues by providing practical and emotional support using home-visiting volunteers. Volunteers complete a 30 hours accredited training programme, which provides the tools they need to support families.
One parent supported by Home-Start West Berkshire said: “Home-Start has helped me make friends and know people in the community, made me less lonely, given me someone to talk to. Home-Start helped me with the Foodbank when I lost my job and helped me to learn about meals I could cook at home.” Another parent said: “My volunteer helped me to talk, laugh and cry when I needed. She visited every week and played with my youngest son, allowing me to get around the house and give me a break. My volunteer encouraged me and helped me to clear and sort the house. She built my confidence- I doubt myself less.”
Grace Green from Home-Start said: “Thank you AWE for the donation which is vital to helping us support more families in the local area. As this project is available for support on the Good Exchange, Greenham Trust have match funded the full amount providing an additional £5,000 which is a huge boost to the charity”
Michele Maidment, Charity Fund Secretary: “The Charity Fund supports many local charities and good causes. AWE is pleased to be able to support the project, meaning more families will be helped when they are feeling at their most vulnerable.”