End the abuse, Make a child smile again - You should help Home Start.

Firstly I’d like to thank you for taking the time to read my blog. My name is Poppy and I feel very strongly about child and domestic abuse as I am very aware how it can affect a person’s life not just while it’s happening but for the future as well. Home Start is a charity that works with families at breaking point-whether that’s Child abuse, Domestic violence or just general counselling Home Start is there to help. The charity works all over the UK but there are many local sites in the South West such as in Exeter, Teignmouth and Torquay.  It helps families with children 0-5 which although does not seem like a large amount of time it is a largely important few years.  The charity provides visits from trained volunteers who help parents care for the children in the best possible way. The support it free and confidential so the volunteers really get to know the family they’re working with. Every child has the right to be fed, cared for and most importantly loved.

When a family is falling apart the council will involve home start, as long as there was no immediate threat to the volunteers.

This is Maya’s story,
Maya lost her smile after her big brother was killed in a car accident. Her older brother Kiran lost his life when a car drove onto the pavement when he was on his way to get a pint of milk. Mum Yasmin spent a lot of time mourning alone. She blamed herself for Kiran’s death. This affected Maya’s life as she got little attention and found it difficult to fully understand what had happened to her brother. Their house was covered in memories of Kiran and every day the family seemed to mourn his death.

When Home start introduced volunteer Jess to the family their lives changed for the better. She would visit the family once every week to offer support and help the family get over the loss for their Daughters sake. Maya felt so alone. Jess encouraged Yasmin to spend time with her, even if it was just doing a puzzle or playing a game. Losing a child can change a family or individual for the rest of their lives but Home Start were there to step in and stop that happening.

It doesn’t take much money to change lives like Maya’s just enough to buy the resources and days out for the children.

Please answer the following questions:

• Do you now feel more informed about Home Start?
• Would you now consider donating to the Home start?
• Have your feelings changed towards Home Start?

Thank you so much for reading my blog if you would like to make a donation go to http://www.home-start.org.uk/donate_and_give/give and change lives for the better.