Are there any other organisations like Homestart?

[MuffinMclay]

Wasn't sure where to post this...

A friend of mine desperately needs some help and support at the moment (toddler aged twins, PND, lots of relationship and family problems). She contacted Homestart and was told that there was nobody in her area (South London).

Does she have a sure-start or family centre near-by? They have Community nursery nurses and out-reach workers who might be able to provide support. Poor her.

have a look here

She contacted her nearest Homestart offices (she is about 5 miles away from several of them) and all said she was out of their area.

I'm trying to persuade her to talk to her hv and see if she can get someone to help or just visit for a chat, but she is worried that they'll say she is a bad mother and take the twins away. I keep reassuring her that they won't, but can't convince her.

I will investigate family centres in the area.

Which part of south london?

Aha, surestart might be just the thing. There seem to be lots of centres in London. I need to work out which might be near her.

Catford.

I was thinking that surestart cover most areas, certainly in South London, and from my friends experience are really good. It's sad she is worried to open up to her Health Visitor, but I understand that from bitter experience.

What sort of help does she need?

Fiofio - thats what I thought. I'm not sure that she even sees the same hv all the time.

There is a sure-start centre in Catford, it seems. A good starting point.

Now trying to decide, should I contact them directly (interfering) or get her to do it (but she might not do so)?

Contact them on her behalf and ask them to send her leaflets etc.

Good plan.

I'm visiting her on Friday so could perhaps try and get her to call them when I'm there.

Does she have family or friends living locally?

She has family, who are helping a bit, but she feels a need to put on a front with them and hide her feelings. She is very depressed, on medication, self-harming, and talking of suicide. She has split up with her dh but he is staying with her to stop her doing anything stupid.

She feels all her local friends don't have time for her and don't understand (she is very young, and her contemporaries don't have children).

I do hope she isnt reading this . Pretty sure she doesn't use MN.

I'm sad to hear this, you're a great friend for looking out for her though.

I have a friend who lives quite close (Forset Hill) who really went through the mill a couple of years ago and could offer great advice. Do you thnk she'd be up for getting in touch with her, maybe via msn and talking?

What a lovely offer. She might well be up for that. I will ask her and let you know, if that is OK.

I feel rather helpless as I'm about 1.5/2 hours away and can't give the face-to-face support that she needs.

I know how that feels, my best friend just had her first baby and is miles away from us and I feel really helpless.
My email is annabel donaghey hotmail com (hope you can fill in the gsps, lol) so let me know.