Advertisements

A charity that supports families across Trafford, Salford and Wigan receives almost £44,000 from the Government’s Suicide Prevention Fund.

Home-Start Trafford, Salford and Wigan will be using this funding to support local mums who are experiencing severe mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts, self-harm and stress.

Home-Start is one of Greater Manchester’s leading family support charities. By recruiting and training local volunteers, (who are often parents themselves or have parenting experience), they offer emotional and practical support to families in their own homes.

There are many reasons why local families turn to Home-Start for support, including poverty, poor mental health, domestic abuse and isolation. And the aftermath of the Pandemic has seen a significant rise in families turning to Home-Start.

In the last five years Home-Start has seen a significant increase in mums being referred to their service with identified mental health needs, and this grant will provide a vital continuation service.

Linsey Bailey-Rowes, Counselling Service Manager at Home-Start Trafford, Salford and Wigan, said: “We are thrilled to be one of the UK charities to receive funding from the Government’s Suicide Prevention Fund. Around 10% of mums who are referred to us with mental health issues are experiencing severe symptoms such as suicidal thoughts, so to help meet the needs of these mums, we piloted our own Trauma Informed and Neuro Affirming counselling service.”

She continued: “This grant will allow us to continue this vital service, so that we at Home-Start can carry on supporting mums who are struggling with a range of issues that can contribute towards feelings of suicide, such as past trauma, neurodivergence, self-harm and stress. Whilst we would like to be able to offer this crucial mental health support to all mums who need us, our current offer is to run alongside families who are receiving our core family support service too.”

Mum, Helen, whose received support from Home-Start and its counselling service, said: “It wasn’t until I received the help that I realised how much I needed it. I was just about coping, but I wasn’t able to engage in life- I was going through the motions. Without the counselling I believe I would have spiralled further. My mental health would have worsened which would have had a knock-on effect on my ability to work and look after myself and children. I have learnt so much from the support I received. Life is now more regulated and we are thriving.”

Alongside this specific project, Home-Start continues to run its core support to families who are struggling with a range of other needs.

Kathryn Eckersley, Managing Director of Home-Start Trafford, Salford and Wigan said: “Life really is tough for people right now and if we can train more local people to become volunteers for us, we can reach out to even more families who need us. Our volunteers provide a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on and a practical pair of hands. Volunteers help to reduce isolation; they help to increase confidence in parents and can also offer practical advice such as budgeting on a low income and early learning support for the under-fives.”

Kathryn continued: “Volunteering for Home-Start doesn’t just help the family, it can offer a range of opportunities for the volunteers too- younger volunteers often use their Home-Start experience to enhance their career prospects or further education, and for older or retired volunteers, they say their experiences help to reduce their own isolation, gives them a chance to give back, and connect to the local community.”

To find out more about the work of Home-Start Trafford, Salford and Wigan, to offer corporate support, or to become a volunteer, please call 0161 865 4222, email- admin@hsts.org.uk or visit hsts.org.uk