As a health visitor for over 12 years working in the local area I am well aware of the fabulous work Home start undertake. Home-Start Oxford is a charity that provides free, confidential support for families with at least one child under the age of 5 in Oxford, and the centre and west of the county. Being a parent has never been easy. Regardless of social standing, gender or culture, it can be lonely, frustrating, heart-breaking and over-whelming. Home-Start Oxford helps families through challenges that include mental health issues, illness, disability, autism, multiple births, relationship stress, refugeehood, social and rural isolation, domestic abuse, addiction, debt, trauma and poverty. I have seen the significance a Home start link worker or volunteer can have on parental confidence, well being and mental health and the impact this has in turn on child development, socialisation and confidence as well and infant and children's mental health.

Please help me to raise essential funds for this worthy charity while I run the Oxford Half - Thank you