Home-Start Glasgow South

As a family support charity, we know that 2021 will continue to be a very difficult time for families, with your support we can be there for families when they need us most. Help us be there for families to overcome personal challenges by providing that helping hand, listening ear, support and reassurance to help families through difficult periods.

In 2020, Home-Start Glasgow South reacted quickly to provide families with activity boxes that were sent out to 150 families and included 14 different resources ranging from pens and papers to books and biscuits. These boxes were provided by BBC Children in Need and we have continued to supply top-ups to families. We were successful in receiving funding from BBC Children in Need, Local Area Partnership, Inspiring Scotland and Corra foundations to provide appropriate technology for families in lockdown to continue support. We delivered 100 tablets to families to help the families better cope with the effects of lockdown and home schooling.

Our quick response to the pandemic and feedback has been very positive and with the Covid-19 situation being a continuing feature for the foreseeable future, the positive feedback from our families is very re-assuring. The success of our approach has meant we will look to continue this support, where appropriate, and be there for families when they need us most.

Home-Start Glasgow South continues to be inspired by our volunteers who are there for families each week providing practical and emotional support. The support offered was slightly different during the pandemic and the majority of home visiting support moved to telephone support. We are delighted to announce that outdoor meetings can take place, providing we continue to follow government guidelines. We welcomed many new volunteers through our online Volunteer Training Course and will continue to provide online volunteer training as part of our core work ensuring accessibility for all. We will also resume face-to-face volunteer training when we are permitted to do so.

Our support continues to adapt to suit the needs of the families we support. This year we are asking you to help us be there for families as we emerge from the pandemic and help families build positive family relationship, confidence, and community connections for families to thrive in Glasgow South.

As a family support charity, we know that 2021 will continue to be a very difficult time for families, with your support we can be there for families when they need us most. Help us be there for families to overcome personal challenges by providing that helping hand, listening ear, support and reassurance to help families through difficult periods.

In 2020, Home-Start Glasgow South reacted quickly to provide families with activity boxes that were sent out to 150 families and included 14 different resources ranging from pens and papers to books and biscuits. These boxes were provided by BBC Children in Need and we have continued to supply top-ups to families. We were successful in receiving funding from BBC Children in Need, Local Area Partnership, Inspiring Scotland and Corra foundations to provide appropriate technology for families in lockdown to continue support. We delivered 100 tablets to families to help the families better cope with the effects of lockdown and home schooling.

Our quick response to the pandemic and feedback has been very positive and with the Covid-19 situation being a continuing feature for the foreseeable future, the positive feedback from our families is very re-assuring. The success of our approach has meant we will look to continue this support, where appropriate, and be there for families when they need us most.

Home-Start Glasgow South continues to be inspired by our volunteers who are there for families each week providing practical and emotional support. The support offered was slightly different during the pandemic and the majority of home visiting support moved to telephone support. We are delighted to announce that outdoor meetings can take place, providing we continue to follow government guidelines. We welcomed many new volunteers through our online Volunteer Training Course and will continue to provide online volunteer training as part of our core work ensuring accessibility for all. We will also resume face-to-face volunteer training when we are permitted to do so.

Our support continues to adapt to suit the needs of the families we support. This year we are asking you to help us be there for families as we emerge from the pandemic and help families build positive family relationship, confidence, and community connections for families to thrive in Glasgow South.

Following the successful delivery of Glasgow's first Dads' Antenatal workshop provided by Home-Start Glasgow South, we are delighted to announce we are expanding to new cover two hospitals in  Greater Glasgow and Clyde. 

In the first 6 months of delivering the workshop, over 50 men have attended and learnt more about what to expect in the birth of their child and in the crucial baby's first few weeks. The workshop increases parenting skills and coping strategies to strengthen relationships and encourage bonding and attachment.

As well as continuous feedback throughout the workshop each dad who has attended has reported an increase in agreement towards at least 2 of the following statements.

• I feel prepared for the labour and birth.

• I feel prepared for life at home with a new baby

• I feel confident in my ability to support my partner as we become parents

• I know where I can access help and support for me as a dad.

These workshops are part of our dads work to support parents to be their best selves to enable their children to thrive.

We will be hosting Dads' Antenatal workshops in the New Victoria and the Queen Elizabeth Hospitals which complement the current couples antenatal workshops provided by NHS maternity services.