Update from Home-Start Watford, Three Rivers & Hertsmere

Do you work with or know a family with at least one child under 5 who might benefit from some extra support to help them be the best parent they can be? Or perhaps you’re working with someone who could use a bit of assistance in navigating their parenting journey?

We are reaching out to identify families who would appreciate having a caring and experienced volunteer visit them for 2-3 hours each week, offering companionship, emotional support, and practical help.

Here are some examples of how we can assist:

• A parent feeling isolated and hesitant to attend a parent-and-baby group on their own – our volunteer can accompany them, boosting their confidence to meet others.
• A single parent with several young children who feels overwhelmed – our volunteer can provide guidance on routines and help implement strategies to make daily life more manageable.
• A mum or dad struggling with their mental health – our volunteer can offer a listening ear and assist them in accessing the support they need.

We currently have a number of Home-Visiting Volunteers ready to start working with families immediately in Watford, Three Rivers, and Hertsmere.

Referring a family is simple – just complete the referral form on our website (click here), with the family’s consent, and we’ll reach out to them directly. Please provide as much information as you can about the family’s needs, including details about all the children, not just those under 5. 

Once a family is supported by a volunteer they are encouraged  to attend our Family groups and if appropriate, to be internally referred into our in- house counselling team.

Criteria

1. The Family lives in one of the three areas
2. Has at least one child under 5
3. The family is not on a Child Protection Plan
4. It is safe for volunteer to visit (ie; no perpetrator of Domestic abuse living in, or visiting the home)

If you’d like to discuss a potential referral before submitting the form, feel free to contact one of our Coordinators on 01923 248010 who would be happy to chat!