We are delighted to share some incredible news! Home-Start Newark has been awarded £20,000 in funding from the Severn Trent Community Fund Core Funding. This significant grant will be used to cover the core costs of our vital services, enabling us to continue our work with vulnerable families with young children across the Newark and Sherwood district.

For 41 years, we have provided a crucial lifeline to local families, offering compassionate, confidential, and practical support during challenging times. Our services, which include a Home Visiting Service, Family Group sessions, and a 'Step Up For School' Service, are designed to strengthen families, empower parents, and create nurturing environments where children can thrive. We are incredibly proud that in the last financial year, we directly supported 80 families and 151 children.

The new funding from the Severn Trent Community Fund is a huge relief. It will be used specifically for our Family Support Coordinator role, which is essential for the long-term viability of our Home Visiting Service. This ensures that we can continue to provide vital in-home support for families, helping them to improve mental health, reduce social isolation, and strengthen family bonds. We are so grateful for this support, which allows us to ensure our services have a secure foundation and can continue to reach families who need us now more than ever.

Sue Heyes, Severn Trent Community Fund Officer, said: “The work that Home-Start Newark does with families facing complex challenges is very inspiring, and we’re delighted that this funding will help sustain their vital home visiting service. By investing in the Family Support Co-ordinator role, we’re helping ensure that vulnerable families across Newark and Sherwood continue to receive the compassionate, tailored support they need to thrive.”

Our work is made possible by our dedicated team of volunteers. We regularly run FREE training courses to equip people with the skills to become a Home-Start volunteer. If you are interested in making a direct difference in the lives of local families, gaining new skills for your CV, and supporting your community, we would love to hear from you. Our next volunteer course starts this month, so please get in touch today!