Home-Start recruits volunteers who can support families by spending a couple of hours a week with them. Anyone with a child under 5 can be referred to Home-Start and all help is free and confidential. Our volunteers are parents who come from all walks of life and all fully trained and checked before being carefully matched to a family. Families are referred by Health Visitors, other services or may directly refer themselves. Home-Start supports parents to give their child the best start in life.

Many parents need help, friendship, advice or support during those early years when children are young. We understand that raising a family can sometimes feel overwhelming and offer support to families with babies and young children. In addition to our core work of volunteers, Home-Start Edinburgh West and South West has a family support worker and PEEP practitioners (Parents Early Educators Partnership). We are developing our service to include group activities and a drop in session.

Home-Start Edinburgh West and South West has offered support to nearly 300 families since it was established.