Home-Start Bradford District

Home-Start Bradford District supports families across the district who have at least one child under the age of 5 and have agreed to a volunteer. All our parents have recognised that parenting is a really hard job and that they just need a little bit of help, an extra pair of hands, a bit of advice or simply another adult to off-load to.

We've supported families who are struggling with a variety of issues including family breakdown, illness or disability, lack of confidence, loneliness, or simply lots of small children! Some of our families haven't had good role models and are struggling with the responsibilities of being a parent. Others have mental health problems and need the positive non-judgemental approach of our volunteers to help raise their self-esteem and remind them of the positives in their lives. Some of our families, despite their best efforts, simply can't get ahead and constantly feel they are fighting a losing battle. Our volunteers are patient and, in some cases, have been in a similar situation so can help parents see a way forward. In many cases the parents we support no longer enjoy being with their children, find it all too hard and don't know where to turn. A volunteer can bring the fun and love back into a family with kindness, patience and a good dose of humour. They work with the whole family, doing things with them, not to them or for them.