For many Home-Start families during Covid-19, their support networks were diminished and their access to support restricted. Mothers gave birth to babies without the presence of their partners; perinatal services were reduced as resources were channeled to Covid-19 aid; single parent families became isolated; and the strain on food banks and secondhand donations of clothes and goods increased to such an extent that providers were unable to cope with demand at times.

Guljabeen Rahman, CEO of Home-Start Barnet, Brent, Enfield and Harrow said, "In all of this, our volunteers continued to be a vital support to our families during restrictions, moving their in-person meetings to regular Zoom calls, messages, and delivering care packages when needed. However, as we move back to home-visiting, we know that our families need for support will have only grown, as the mental and physical toll of the pandemic becomes apparent."

From a recent Home-Start UK report, we know that twice as many low-income families (under £16,000 p.a.) are not optimistic about life after lockdown compared with those earning more (over £30,000 p.a.).* The erosion of these families support networks, provisions, and services over the past year and a half has also eroded their confidence and resilience. Their mental health is at an all-time low.

To ensure we are there when families need us most, we are raising funds for our counselling service, which works with families to give them a safe space to explore their feelings, whilst offering tools to help them rebuild their confidence and face this new future feeling stronger and more empowered.

By doing this, we aim to support parents to give their children the healthiest and happiest start in life possible. Because childhood can't wait.

*https://www.home-start.org.uk/news/inequalities-exposed