Amy’s* mental health following the birth of her third child was extremely low and she turned to the GP for help. Amy was distressed when the GP contacted children’s services with their concern and she was referred to the Perinatal Mental Health Team who referred her to Home-Start.
At our initial visit Amy was anxious and experiencing intrusive thoughts. We recommended the Postnatal Support Group and a home-visiting volunteer, both of which Amy accepted.
Amy started the group within a week of being referred and valued the space to be able to talk about how isolated she felt. The group shared topics such as navigating relationships with new parenting challenges, their own childhoods and how their experiences of bereavement have affected them.
Attending the group helped support Amy to feel more confident taking the children to other places and a trip to Ufton Court with Home-Start was a highlight of her support. Amy joined the Isolated Family Group, leading her to access universal groups as a result.
The home-visiting volunteer helped by playing with the children while Amy took some much needed rest or completed some tasks at home, such as completing Universal Credit forms.
Amy’s second child thrived at group, building language skills and interacting with other children and adults. Volunteers in the group were able to
play with the younger children so this child could have one-to-one time with mum.
In the final visit, Amy recognised how important the support had been to her and her family. Initially, she had scored 2 on a 5 point scale for coping with mental health and 4 by the end of support.
Amy told us, “I cannot begin to emphasise what a positive impact Home-Start has had on my life and my mental health. It has been way more than any services the NHS were able to provide. Personally, Home-Start has given me the ability to be a better parent and mother to my children making them happier and more fulfilled.”
*Names have been changed for anonymity