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Original poster

does anyone know about homestart?

30 replies

busybee123 · 26/06/2004 18:38

I have decided that it would make mine and my familys life easier if i got some help around the place. After a suggestion on another thread I wrote on, I was thinking about going through homestart? does anyone have any experience with this? I feel too ashamed to get a cleaner as the place is SUCH a mess!! I am here all day and cannot for the life of me work out why the hell I can't keep on top of everything!! I would imagine a cleaner would be too expensive for me anyway.

OP posts:
didda · 26/06/2004 18:43

I feel exactly the same. I feel quite guilty to be home all day and not manage to keep the house tidy - let alone properly cleaned!!! My excuse though is that if I was working all day and the babies were at nursery, there wouldn't be anyone to make a mess. Actually, the days we go out, the housework seems much more manageable!!

Fio2 · 26/06/2004 18:45

what do homestart actually do? busybee. I know one of the ladies on here was training to do it. I am disorganised aswell

Original poster
busybee123 · 26/06/2004 18:50

on the website its says they offer support and practical help and advice to families with children under 5...whatever that means!!!

OP posts:
hmb · 26/06/2004 18:51

I don't think that homestart would provide cleaners. I thought that they are a government funded/volenteer organisation that helps to support people with children who may be having difficulties. That said they might help, I'm not sure. Their website is on www.home-start.org.uk/site/index.asp

hmb · 26/06/2004 18:53

They provide support and friendship for parents with small children. They do things like take kids out for the day to give families a break, some help to organise holidays for people in need, that sort of thing. They are a charity and rely on volenteers, who are often parents themselved

mummysurfer · 26/06/2004 19:05

i am a volunteer for HS. I supported someone who was coping in many ways but the cleaning was getting her down. all i was allowef to do was play with the children/take them out thus giving the mum the time to do her own cleaning. as i got to her know her i would stay in the house helping her but i would involve her toddler in cleaning too. when he got fed up we gave up and went out, enabling her to get on alone. i only went for 3 hours once a week and that was the only cleaning she managed during the week.
Homestart in this area don't have enough volunteers but in some areas they have plenty and can provide more than the 3 hours but it may be given with 2 different volunteers.

i'd say give them a ring, you don't need anyone to refer you, you can self-refer. if you feel you can't do this if you contact me thro' MN i can do it for you.no problems even if you're in a different area.
to qualify for help you must ahve at least one child under 5

Original poster
busybee123 · 26/06/2004 19:07

mummysurfer...i have 3 kids under the age of 5!!!

OP posts:
mummysurfer · 26/06/2004 19:16

think you more than qualify 'busiestbee'. if you are thinking baout it give them a ring and have a chat as in some areas it can take a few weeks to find you someone as they don't just link you with a free volunteer but someone that they think you will get on with, trust etc. after all they will be coming into your home with your children. all volunteers are security checked by the police and other agencies.
let me know if i can be of any help

Original poster
busybee123 · 26/06/2004 19:29

thank you mummysurfer. i will give them a ring tomorrow

OP posts:
Soulfly · 27/06/2004 15:08

I went through homestart when i moved to a new area, i know in Ashford they do groups once a week, while someone looks after the kids.It was good and all through the summer holidays you'd get free trips out. Also the volunteers are good to, although they don't do your cleaning for you, but do play with your kids or help you when you need to go shopping etc. I think its excellent, and you get to meet other mums in the same situation.

IDismyname · 28/06/2004 02:22

I'm a HS volunteer, too. We help mums and families when they are snowed under - be it financially, emotionally or practically.

As mummysurfer says, we're not really available for cleaning... and anyway, you should see MY house!

I have, once, helped clean my families house, but that was involving all the children too. Homestart will come out and visit you to ask you what you need, and if anyone shows signs of needing a weekly cleaner or a regular babysitter for free, you may be relegated to the bottom of their list!

Original poster
busybee123 · 28/06/2004 12:05

blue2 thats a bit backwards isnt it???so basically, i cant do the housework cos i need someone to look after the kids, but if my house is untidy, i dont get the help i would like?!?!????

OP posts:
zebra · 28/06/2004 12:38

I think it's more a case that if all you want is a cleaner, busybee, then they aren't really going to prioritise you.

But (do I get this right?), if you want someone to play with the kids while you do a bit of cleaning and help supervising the kids, that would be in their remit to provide support. Is that a fair assessment?

mummysurfer · 28/06/2004 12:39

busybee, that doesn't happen in my area.
if you show signs of need ing help with the cleaning then you would NOT go to the bottom of the list.
HS wouldn't clean your house for you but would support you so that you could do it. this can happen in many ways. it depends on you. some families benefit from having someone to look after the children whilst they clean. some peopel are unable to clean becuase they are 'down'. HS can be a listening ear, a means of giving you time to be yourself. the knock on effect can be that you feel more able to tackle the housework. some women disappear for a long uninterupted soak in the bath as soon as the vlounteer arrives. some go out for a brisk walk and come back feeling as tho' they have more energy. some find htye benefit most from a good chat with someone who doesn't know ANY of their family or friends. volunteers are trained to raise self-esteem and self-confidence and it is astounding the difference this makes to us all.

did you ring them by the way?

Original poster
busybee123 · 28/06/2004 12:49

i dont want a cleaner...i hate other people doing my housework...i juat want the kids to not be under foot whenever I try to get it done!!

OP posts:
mummysurfer · 28/06/2004 12:52

you can find your local one here Busybee

zebra · 28/06/2004 12:52

Cleaning I can manage, but would love someone to help supervise when I take them to the playground or park. Am grateful to this thread... just put in a call.

mummysurfer · 28/06/2004 12:55

are they coming to see you Zebra

zebra · 28/06/2004 12:58

She said she'd ring back to make an appt. when I guess they come to the house and assess.

IDismyname · 28/06/2004 15:54

Apologies bb123 if I came over all wrong.

The volunteers are all mums/parents who try to help other mums/parents to get back on track with their lives. I fully understand that having a cleaner house does help most of us concentrate on other things, and generally feel more in control of our lives.

The local branches of homestart will match you pretty well with a volunteer, once they've met you and sorted out what your needs are.

I know that in my area, there are loads of families waiting for help and not enough volunteers to go round, so it might be wise to ask how long you might need to wait.

What area are you in?

Beccarollover · 29/06/2004 13:21

Im about to give up work and would be interesting volunteering for homestart but what would I do with my kids while I went to help someone? Is it very flexible?

granarybeck · 29/06/2004 17:58

beccarollover, i have just become a hs volunteer. they are fairly flexible. i had to do a 10 week preparation course and you could do that day or evening. there were a few people who could only volunteer in the evenings because of own kids or work. they just match you with a family who would like support at those times eg. at bath/bedtimes. i think more families want daytime help so it may just mean not being started as quickly. i have really enjoyed the training and have just started with my first family and am enjoying it. just give your local hs a ring.

gothicmama · 29/06/2004 17:59

busybee and anyone else if you are in a sure start area they do courses on tactics to help relax parents - will try and find out more details

Beccarollover · 29/06/2004 18:15

Im in a sure start area - is there something similiar I could do to homestart as there isnt one near to me?

gothicmama · 29/06/2004 18:17

sure start is the government funded on ebut do courses to help parents whilst home start relies more on volunteers - so if you wantto volunteer homestart is probably best but if you need help try both

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