Home-Start Portsmouth

Who we are

Home-Start Portsmouth is an independent family support charity that was established in 1992 and has supported thousands of families in the city since its launch.

We exist to enable local parents to be the best they can be by offering emotional and practical help through trained volunteers, both in family homes, out in the community, and in the Portsmouth Family Hubs.

Support is available for families that are experiencing a whole range of difficulties: bereavement, isolation, multiple births, postnatal depression to name a few.

A range of Stay & Play groups are also run in the Family Hubs and are open to all.

Volunteers provide support for families, and are trained and supported by experienced coordinators who are there to guide and advise them throughout.

Our culture and values

Family life with young children can be difficult and stressful at times, and this is when it helps to have someone to turn to and rely on.

Families struggling with postnatal depression, isolation, illness, bereavement or family breakdown, and many other issues, receive the support of a trained volunteer who will spend around two to three hours a week in a family’s home supporting them in the ways they need. This is supported by expert help from our coordinators who also run parenting programs to support families.

Families can access support within the Portsmouth Family Hubs from a Family Hub Champion. This is face-to-face support and can be as quick as a small query or as bigger as some consistent support to navigate any struggles.

We also have trained volunteers who run Stay & Play groups in the community so that parents and children are able to socialise with each other in a safe and stimulating environment.