Third Charity Announced

HOME-START North East Hampshire has been chosen by Hart Vice-Chairman, Cllr John Kennett as the third charity to be supported from this year’s Hart Chairman’s Charity fund.

Trained volunteers based at the Mayfield Community Centre in Farnborough help families in both Hart and Rushmoor with a roughly even split between the two districts.

Home-Start says that the area includes several pockets of multiple deprivation ranking in the country’s worst 20 per cent surrounded by areas of less deprivation.

It adds that in the western rural areas of Hart families and children supported are often struggling with difficulties caused by isolation.

Home-Start is a national organisation operating through local branches which run their own operations and fund raising. Last year the local group supported 151 families including 306 children of whom 12 had a disability and 18 were on the child protection register.

It aims to help families with young children who are facing difficult circumstances and has about 35 trained volunteers who make home visits.  

A family tends to be supported for six months after which about 90 per cent sign off saying they have overcome their stressful circumstances. Some then go on to be volunteers themselves.

Home-Start also operates free successful mother-toddler ‘drop in groups’. These help mums and toddlers to interact and make friends. The toddlers learn through play, singing and crafts.

Home-Start can be contacted on 01252 545416  or www.homestart-nehants.org.uk

Cllr Kennett says: “This is a very worthwhile organisation that can stop a family being wrecked by an adverse event. Unfortunately, demand for its services will rise due to the economic situation and I am glad that the council can give the charity itself a helping hand.”

The Chairman, Cllr Colin Ive’s charities (previously announced) are Help for Heroes and the Brian Randall Trust Fund.