5 September 2025
- We are just finalising our statistics for our latest Annual Report, and so far it’s looking like:
- We supported 213 families across Southern Oxfordshire in the year ended 31 March 2025.
- Of the above, 78 were supported with home visits by our volunteers. (We have 51 volunteers).
- And 122 were supported at groups.
- In total, we supported 291 children who were aged 0-5 years.
- Of course, it’s great to ensure that as many people as possible have been touched by our support, but it’s particularly important to be sure that our support makes a difference. So, it’s pleasing to know that:
- 88% of the parents we supported felt that they became more involved in their children’s learning and development, after receiving their Home-Start support.
- 81% said they felt less isolated.
- 76% of families said they experienced improved wellbeing.
- THANK YOU to the whole team of volunteers and staff, who have made such a difference to these people’s lives, across Southern Oxfordshire. Let’s keep going, as there are lots more families in need of our help…
3. It was great to meet volunteer Joanna, who is going to start helping out at our weekly group sessions. Volunteers Helen and Gill already do this too! (We need all the help we can get, as we are about to re-launch our second group, ‘Best Starts’ for parents with children aged 1-3 years. This group will cover topics such as speech and language, sleep and healthy eating, toilet training, play/movement, managing challenging behaviour, parental wellbeing, as well as having lots of opportunity for play). In addition, we are currently hatching plans to launch a third group, with emphasis on play and socialising, for parents with children aged 0-5 years, which we plan to hold in various venues across Southern Oxfordshire, so we are more easily accessed by families who do not find it easy to get to Didcot.
- Yesterday, I also enjoyed meeting volunteer Jan, who used to be a home-visiting volunteer, and is now a Home-Start trustee. We put our heads together to see what contacts we know across Southern Oxfordshire, who might be able to help us raise a few funds. More on that in due course. Meanwhile, a brilliant donation of £500 came in this week, from a charitable Trust who want to help us buy some sensory play equipment. Thank you so much!
Thank you again for everything you’re doing for your local Home-Start – between us, we’re making a difference in Southern Oxfordshire.
Andy