About Home-Start
Home-
Who we are
Home-Start Telford & Wrekin was set up in 1989 to provide local families support in time of need. We are a voluntary organisation overseen by a board of volunteer trustees and committee members our aim is to give children under 5 the best possible start in life by helping parents to manage daily life through strengthening relationships and widening their links within their local community.
We are a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times. We are there for parents when they need us most because childhood can’t wait. Overseen by our local volunteer trustees and committee members our aim is to give children under 5 the best possible start in life by helping parents to manage daily life through strengthening relationships and widening their links within their local community.
Home-Start’s history
Home-Start began in 1973 and was founded by Margaret Harrison who believed that supporting a family was best done in their home where it can be shaped to the needs of the family. She realised that if parents receive support and friendship from another parent, they will be better equipped to learn to cope with the many difficulties life can bring and will be able to give their children the best possible start to their own lives.
While this idea remains at the heart of our work, we have created new ways of helping parents and their children to meet the changing needs of families.
This belief, that began in Leicester, spread across the UK and is now a movement around the world. There are now 22 countries on five continents where there are Home-Starts providing support for families.
Margaret remained life president of Home-Start until her death in 2015.
Helping families in
Telford & Wrekin since 1989
Families helped
Children supported
Volunteers
What we do
A Home-Start volunteer will visit you in your own home, usually once a week, for a couple of hours. You decide what you will do together. They can help you with practical tasks, offer advice and share their experience of being a parent or support you through emotional issues.
Home-Start Telford & Wrekin home visiting volunteers:
- help you establish routines for you and your children while you’re going through such a huge change to your life
- play and read with your children
- listen to your worries, concerns and hopes for your family
- be there because they want to be – not because someone has ‘sent’ them
- offer a shoulder to cry on
- share their own experiences of parenting and family life
- give you a break
- offer advice if you ask for it
- provide support, friendship and encouragement
- help you get to appointments
- help you access benefits, grants and financial support
- help you use local services or specialist support
- help you get involved with your local community
Our volunteers are parents themselves. They are all trained and criminal records are checked before being carefully matched with any family.
Areas we cover
We support families throughout the Borough of Telford &
Wrekin.
“Home-Start raises self-confidence, improves social networks, reduces difficult behaviour on the part of the child and improves mental and physical health” – Every Child Matters Government Green Paper.
Case studies
Family 2
Mum lived in married quarters on an army barracks, most of the wives seemed to find it great fun with a good social life and a ready-made family but...
Family 1
I met Mum when she attended a Me Time Group that I was running. She told us in the group that in the past she had been homeless, addicted to heroin...
Building Better Opportunities case study
Home-Start had a great opportunity that I was keen to be apart of: this was the BBO work placement. I was interested in both the office placement...
Projects
National Lottery Funding
Thanks to the generous funding provided by the National Lottery, we can offer free and confidential support to parents and children through home...
Family Hub Partnership
We are pleased to announce that an exciting new project has been launched in partnership with Family Hubs in Telford & Wrekin. Enabling us to...
Projects
We feel incredibly thankful for the funding we’ve received for our projects that are currently making a difference in the lives of local families....
Current vacancies
Please contact us for more information and to apply.
Family support volunteers
Home-Start Telford & Wrekin supports families across our communities who have young children and are facing difficulties, making sure a child’s early years count.
Our Volunteers are trained and given expert support from our staff team so that they can provide the best support for parents and their children.
Through a careful matching process, Home Visiting Volunteers can build a strong and trusting relationship with a family they may go on to support for many months.
We help families from all backgrounds through their most challenging times and just a couple of hours a week can transform the lives of parents and their children.
Our Volunteers provide non-judgmental, compassionate and confidential support, giving families the right help at the right time and in a way that suits them.
By volunteering your time and experiences for just a few hours each week you can change lives, including your own. We know from research the benefits to our volunteers; in developing new skills, building confidence and relationships and also supporting training and placements for work and study.
Visit our Volunteer Page for more information and get in touch.
Become a Home-Start Trustee
Home-Start Telford & Wrekin is an independent local charity and being a trustee of the organisation is all about the governance of the charity. Could you help plan and oversee how we support families in your community?
You’ll have a wide range of duties and be responsible for ensuring the charity is effective, providing overall direction and maintaining sound management of funds. If you have any of these skills:
- general business management
- financial or legal expertise
- IT knowledge
- human resources experience
- PR and media skills
- knowledge of family support issues in the community
then we’d love to hear from you.
To find out more contact us
Our Trustees
Our Board of Trustees, like other volunteers, give their time and experience to make our organisation the best it can be.
Our Board is responsible for setting the direction of our organisation, strategic decisions, governance, legal compliance and leadership. Working closely with the Manager and the staff, Trustees are essential to the operation of our charity.
Chair Trustee Cathy
Welcome!
I’m Cathy, and the current Trustee Chair of Home-Start Telford & Wrekin.
I work with the Board of Trustees to oversee the direction and running of our charity and support our very experienced and welcoming team of staff and dedicated volunteers. I have worked in community health services for many years, and for families, as well as in training, coaching and business development.
I enjoy sharing with people the tools and skills to build confidence so they can be the most they can be, so it is no surprise that I love supporting our Home-Start in growing and being here for you.
I have 2 sons – now grown up – and before Covid my favourite time out was salsa and kizomba (not Zumba!) dancing.
Trustee Treasurer Kelly
Hi, I’m Kelly, and I have been a trustee for Home-Start Telford & Wrekin since February 2024. I decided to become a trustee at Home-Start Telford & Wrekin because I strongly believe in the importance of education and youth development. A supportive family environment is crucial for a child’s growth and success. I also believe in the power of early intervention and providing a strong support system to help families navigate challenges. Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive in a nurturing and stable environment, and Home-Start plays a vital role in making that a reality. As a trustee, I aim to help ensure that more families receive the support they need to create a positive and enriching home life for their children.
Trustee Linda
I joined Home-Start Telford & Wrekin in 2019 after a career spanning five decades, working in education with young children. After completing the training to become a volunteer, I was asked to join the Board of Trustees. It is a privilege to be a trustee supporting a committed and professional team of staff and volunteers. Time spent with my family and five grandchildren is precious. In my spare time, I enjoy walking, gardening, and reading.
Trustee Andrea
I’m Andrea, and I am a relatively new trustee at Home-Start Telford & Wrekin.
I have served in the army for 35 years in a variety of roles, most relevant was as a Welfare Officer, supporting c450 soldiers and their families. Most recently I have been a key member of the team at the Battle Back Centre in Lilleshall, delivering multi-activity courses for service personnel from across all 3 services who are on a recovery pathway.
I am now leaving the army and embarking on a new challenge as a Welfare Officer for the Defence Medical Welfare Service, supporting a variety of frontline workers.
I enjoy playing hockey for my local club where I am also a Hockey Champion, coaching 5–8-year-olds. I also enjoy long walks with my Sprocker Spaniel called Daisy.
Trustee Lynn
Hello I’m Lynn,
I am a newly appointed trustee and look forward to working alongside the dedicated staff and volunteers.
I moved to Shropshire from Essex about 2 years ago and really love the area. My background is in Education; I was working in Schools in Hertfordshire and latterly East London. I have worked alongside families and young children to build on their strengths to achieve their full potential. I also appraised and trained staff to ensure the children in our care had the best possible opportunities.
I am therefore delighted to volunteer for this valued charity.
I enjoy walking and playing tennis which were my lifelines during Covid lockdown which I know has been difficult for so many.
Trustee Wendy
Awaiting info
Our Team
Our team are responsible for the delivery of our services and strategy.
Together, they ensure we’re here for families when they need us most, that our volunteers are trained and supported and that our service remains effective, reaching as many in our communities as possible.
Scheme Co-Manager - Amy
Hi everyone,
My name is Amy Moss, and I’m really excited to introduce myself as Co-Manager here at Home-Start Telford & Wrekin!
Prior to working with Home-Start, I had 10 years experience working within Early Years and Primary Education. This also included working with children with additional needs and disabilities. My most recent studies include a degree in Childhood and Youth Studies, which combines child psychology with an understanding of childhood as a social experience. This perspective has shaped my passion for supporting families in a way that’s both empathetic and empowering.
I’m genuinely passionate about the work Home-Start does—especially helping families who are facing adversity. Whether it’s emotional, financial, loneliness, or practical challenges, I believe in the power of compassionate support making a real difference in people’s lives. It’s a privilege to be part of a charity that puts kindness, connection, and community at the heart of everything it does.
Scheme Co-Manager - Fee
My name is Fee and I have recently taken on the role of Co-Manager at Home-Start Telford and Wrekin. I oversee both the strategic and operational areas of the organisation, and I also facilitate our local Bump to Baby group, which provides a welcoming space for parents to socialise, improve their mental health, and reduce isolation.
My journey with Home-Start began as a volunteer, so I truly understand the impact that supporting families can have. I have always loved Home-Start’s ethos—especially our non-judgemental approach and shared understanding that parenting can be both incredibly challenging and deeply rewarding.
I am passionate about the support Home-Start provides to families and proud of what we stand for. It is an honour to manage such a wonderful charity organisation and amazing staff members and volunteers.
Group Facilitator
Awaiting info
Senior Co-Ordinator - Vikki
My name is Vikki and I am a senior coordinator at Home-Start Telford & Wrekin. My job entails taking referrals, meeting the families, assessing their needs and monitoring their progress. I also recruit and train new volunteers then match them to a family that they will support. I have a particular interest in parental mental health and as a result, I also facilitate the Something More Course and run a weekly drop-in group called Me Time.
Corporate and Development Lead - Sharon
Hello I’m Sharon one of the coordinators here at Home-Start Telford & Wrekin. I arrived with 5 years’ experience of working within the education system and primarily my expertise and knowledge is within the Early Years. I am an advocate of early intervention to improve the lives of children and families. Prior to this I ran my own business for 15 years within the retail sector. On a personal level I love to cook and spend quality time with my family and travel around the world! I also enjoy keeping myself active with regular fitness classes and the odd yoga session.
Administrator & Project Co-ordinator - Heidi
Hello, I am Heidi, I am the Administrator and Project Co-ordinator for Home-Start Telford & Wrekin and have been a part of the Home Start family for 9 years. Prior to my job at Home-Start I was the Administrator for another local family support charity for over 10 years! I had a career in the Travel Industry for 10 years before moving into the charity sector, which I also loved and gained some fantastic opportunities and experiences that will stay with me forever. As well as being the Administrator for Home-Start, I also manage and run Parent and Toddler groups on behalf of Telford & Wrekin where I train volunteers to help support me in this role. I am also the BBO Keyworker helping people gain work related skills assisting them with work/volunteer placements, training and helping them gain the experience to enter employment.
Charity Administrator - Naomi
Hello, I’m Naomi and I’m Charity Administrator with Home-Start Telford & Wrekin. I support the Trustee Board and the Manager with tasks relating to Governance and Finance. I’ve worked with this wonderful organisation for nearly 30 years and
have seen first hand how transformative Home-Start support can be for families and volunteers.
Family Worker - Hannah
I am delighted to join Home-Start as a Family Support Practitioner. For the past six years, I have worked in various roles with Maninplace supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, which has provided me with diverse experience and insight into working with vulnerable individuals with complex needs and backgrounds. This has strengthened my commitment to compassionate, person-centred, and trauma-informed practice.
I also hold a degree in Person-Centred Counselling, am a mum of three, and have a beautiful granddaughter. I am passionate about advocating for minority groups and empowering individuals to live authentically and can’t wait to be a part of the incredible work Home-Start does for families in our community.
Family Worker - Amy
Awaiting info
Become a Home-Start Telford & Wrekin Volunteer Today
Home-Start’s team of trained volunteers make sure a child’s early years count. By volunteering just a few hours each week you can transform the lives of young children and their parents in your community.