Home-Start Crawley, Horsham & Mid Sussex
There for parents when they need us most,
because childhood can't wait
Family Stories
Mia’s Story
Mia* lived alone with her Mum, who had learning difficulties that made day-to-day life more of a challenge. Her Mum was isolated and lacked confidence, so hardly ever felt able to take Mia out to meet and play with other children. In fact, she found it hard to see the importance of making an effort to get involved with services that would help in Mia’s development. And she wasn’t always dealing with other issues that came up either, which was getting them into debt.
Mia’s Dad wasn’t around much and his relationship with her Mum could be unpredictable, creating stress and conflict at home. There was a history of Domestic Violence in previous relationships, which raised concerns about Mia’s safety.
When Mia’s Mum became pregnant again, she was just not sure how she would ever cope with 2 children, on top of everything else. Which is when the Health Visitor referred them to Home-Start for support.
Within 2 months of the referral, a trained Home-Start volunteer began regular weekly visits to Mia’s house. Her Mum was given immediate practical help with budgeting, paperwork and phone calls that were needed to sort their finances and manage the home.
Alongside this the volunteer gave emotional support too over the 7 months she visited, allowing Mia’s Mum to gain in confidence, take more control of their lives and start to allow other services to get involved to help them.
By the time Mia’s baby sister was born, things at home were already quite different and Mum soon started going to baby groups.
Things really changed for Mia too. She started going to a local ‘play and learn’ group, giving her the chance to mix with other children. And she regularly went to nursery, making friends with other children and positive relationships with adults, which all helped her to meet her development milestones.
Overall, life significantly improved for Mia and her family. Home life was calmer, with routines in place and improved relationships. Both Mia’s parents were more attuned to the needs of their 2 children, trying to meet their emotional as well as physical needs.
As Mia’s fourth birthday approached, the volunteer visits came to an end. She and her Mum were able to join Home-Start’s ‘Big Hopes Big Future’ group, where they received further support, especially for young children like Mia, who about to start school.
“Before Home-Start it was hard and stressful. I had letters I couldn’t read I was ignoring it and getting into trouble with money. I was about to have my baby and I was worried about coping. Home Start helped me a lot, it’s easier now. I can do things by myself and I feel happier. My volunteer has been there to talk to, like a friend.”
Your support can help us transform the lives of more vulnerable local children.
* Names have been changed and photo posed by model.
Samuel’s Story
Samuel* was nearly 3 and suffering from severe eczema. It was having a significant impact on daily life, for him and his family. There was all the time needed for his hospital appointments. Every day things, like dressing or bath time, were made really challenging. And then there was the lack of sleep too.
After Samuel was born, his Mum suffered from Post-natal depression, a condition which can continue for years, severely effecting day-to-day life and relationships. As Samuel’s eczema worsened, chronic lack of sleep was making his Mum’s depression more severe.
She just wasn’t able to cope with Samuel and his brother, struggling to manage the house and had little motivation to do things. With Samuels’ Dad out of the house working long hours, there was nobody around to help out. For Samuel and his brother this meant that they were living in a chaotic environment and as their Mum withdrew from them, they were missing out on spending time with her and as a family.
Recognising that the children were suffering as the family struggled to cope, their Health Visitor referred them to Home-Start CHAMS for the help they needed.
Samuel and his family were matched with a volunteer whose focus at first was practical support for his Mum, giving her the chance to rest or have some time for herself – both essential as part of the treatment for postnatal depression. Importantly, the visits took place in the late afternoon, so that right from the start the volunteer was there to help with the after school routines, including dinner and bath time, which were particularly challenging because of Samuel’s severe health needs.
Over the 6 months that the volunteer continued to make weekly visits, home life for Samuel and his family significantly improved. With another adult around, Samuel and his brother were able to enjoy time alone with their Mum to strengthen this vital bond, as well as having time all together on trips out to the local park, community centre and swimming pool, which their Mum could not have managed on her own.
Samuel’s Mum gained the confidence to access therapy for her depression, which greatly improved her mental health. Because of this, she felt able to focus on Samuel’s needs; making changes to his diet and medication to improve his eczema and working on routines to help him sleep at night.
Samuel was a much happier boy by the time Home-Start supported ended. Both his parents felt they could cope with family life better, thanks to getting more sleep, and they were able to all have fun together. His Mum had taken control of her own situation and of the household, creating a safer home for both her boys. Samuel was going to nursery regularly and he and his brother were both progressing well.
“I am more positive, in a better place emotionally and physically. The support from Home Start has been positive, friendly and flexible. It’s helped me through some rough times giving me respite and someone to talk to and connect with.”
Your support can help us transform the lives of more vulnerable local children.
*Names have been changed and photo posed by model.
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