Great South Run

Home-Start works with families who are experiencing difficulties or stress and who have at least one child under five years of age. It offers a unique service, recruiting and training volunteers, who are usually parents themselves, to visit families at home to offer informal, friendly and confidential support. Each Home-Start scheme is an independent voluntary organisation and I have recently become involved as a trustee of Home-Start South Wiltshire (HSSW). HSSW is a highly regarded and effective local charity supporting vulnerable families in Salisbury and the surrounding areas. The majority of families that the charity works with would be classified as disadvantaged but it also supports families where needs arise from multiple births or a child's special needs. Beneficiaries may be disadvantaged by a variety of factors including low income, being a single parent, suffering due to mental or physical health issues, poor housing or living in a deprived area.Two parts of Salisbury itself are recognised as areas of severe multiple deprivation. More funding would enable HSSW to offer support to more families. There is a wide body of evidence that the type of 'early help' approach' can prevent more serious problems later. I have been so impressed with what I have learned about the charity's effectiveness thus far and the organisation has recently been successful in securing funding from major grant giving bodies but supplementing this with other donations will ensure more families can be offered support. I have decided to take part in the Great South Run which takes place on October 22nd to support HSSW and I, and the families the organisation supports, would so appreciate a donation. Thank you.