Homestart?

[namechangedforareason]

I am thinking about asking homestart for some help. I am very unhappy. Mainly because my house is such a state, I can't keep up with the housework at all. My house is awful and I feel like I just want to run away from it all. I have 2 under 2s.

Will they be able to help me? WHat can they do? I am obviously not expecting them to clean my house! LOL. But wondered if they would maybe play with the kids while I do some housework?

Or maybe just help me get a routine sorted with my timetable?

I feel guilty about wanting help from them and that I am taking away the help from somebody in a greater need?

I just need to do SOMETHING to change the way we are living.

we had an offer, but aftre they came to visit things had settled down alot (went mad the next week of course) so didnt use them.

They are a great service, they wont clean the house for you, but will play with the kids while you do, help you take the 2 little ones out like swimming or outings. They are a lovely group, and I would def ask if you felt needed.
Dont let pride put you off, they arent there to judge, just to lend a hand when needed.

namechanged - I referred myself to homestart (on advice of my HV) and had some of th esame reservations as you - what if I was taking help away from someone who needed it more? etc. The co-ordinator told me very clearly that they will prioritise help - ie, if they are short of volunteers and think someone is a higher priority than you, they will make sure that person gets help. So don't worry - they will only allocate a volunteer if they have one to spare!

My volunteer has been out twice so all very recent but she has been great so far. The main thing I wanted was help with taking my two (twins, aged 2) out and about so that is what we've done. She is happy to play with them while i get on with housework but I haven't done this yet - not my priority tbh - but I will use her time in this way if the weather is bad when she comes. I think they are quite flexible about how you can use them - only no-nos are asking them to do housework for you or using them as a babysitter while you go out.

I feel a bit weird about accepting charity like this but I have told myself that I will give something back eventually - maybe volunteering myself when my two are a bit older and I have time to spare... You can pull out of the scheme at any time so you might as well refer yourself and see how you get on - nothing to lose really, is there?

Thanks for the lovely reply. . No, I didn't expect them to clean (And to be honest, I would hate somebody else doing it anyway I think) but would love for my girls to get some attention while I do it or even while I chill out a bit as I NEVER do that. I am only posting on here in between doing lots of thing thats need doing.

Sorry x posted there.

Thanks for that, thats really helpful. I am OK taking the girls out now, I used to be very nervous. I can't take them to swimming or soft play on my own but DH will occasionally come. We go to lots of groups at the childrens centres though so that sort of covers that really.

I am happy to volanteer when I feel I can spare the time. Maybe when they start nursery.

Do they come out every week?

Thank you both, I am emailing them now

Mine comes out every week - although I am not expecting her to come over the Christmas period. Like I said, this is a very recent thing for me but so far would definitely recommend!

The homestart co-ordinator comes to visit you at home first of all and listens to your ideas about how Homestart can help you, then finds a volunteer that would be a good fit.

my mum is a home-start volunteer. she loves it and I hope her families have too. she has had 3 families in about 8 years. she goes once a week and the idea is that she gives her attention to the children in order to help the mum/dad. She's an early retired, it keeps her in touch with younger people when her family lives several hours away. It does her a lot of good, as well as the family she visits - I hope. win-win situation.