Home-Start Reading was established in 1984 and we continue to offer support, friendship and practical help to parents with young children. These families are going through a difficult time such as post-natal depression, the birth of twins or triplets, disability, bereavement, illness or social isolation or just struggling with the changes with becoming a parent.

Home-Start recruits and trains volunteers who are usually parents themselves to visit families at their own homes. Every family has at least one child under five and we offer them informal, non-judgemental, friendly and confidential support.

Home-Start helps give children the best possible start in life. We support parents as they grow in confidence, strengthen their relationships with their children and widen their links with the local community.

We also run two family groups for referred families on Friday mornings. One is on the Dee Park Estate and one is in Whitley. The play-leaders organise activities for the children; parents can chat to friends or have support from a group organiser.

The Mums in Mind groups are relaxed social groups with a professional creche run by cognitive behavioural therapy trained professionals. the groups are targeted at mums in a low mood or who are anxious.