Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Home-Start London reveals 86% of Croydon families face cost of living pressures, with many citing financial strain as a major challenge in parenting.
As reported by Inside Croydon, the results, which were made public during Maternal Mental Health Week, show issues that Croydon families face.
An independent nonprofit organization called Home-Start runs regional networks of skilled professionals and volunteers that support families with small children during their most trying moments.
At-Home Start The demand for Croydon‘s group-based support services, which assist over 3,000 families around the borough, has increased by 23% in the past 12 months. Its one-on-one support is consistently oversubscribed, which indicates that parents are under increasing strain.
Based on the answers of 300 families in London who were assisted by neighborhood Home-Starts, the study discovered:
- 86% of families claim that financial concerns make parenting more difficult.
- 81% experience tension and anxiety as a result of financial concerns.
- Living expenses are a burden for single parents. Compared to 39% of two-parent households, 54% of single-parent households find it difficult to pay for necessities like food and diapers.
- 74% of families with children who have special needs, disabilities, or chronic illnesses report that they require greater emotional assistance, up from 47% of families without such needs.
Volunteers can assist with a variety of issues, such as stress management, mental health, maintaining family routines, and fostering healthy early relationships and interactions between parents and children.
Families from a variety of backgrounds are guaranteed help that respects their beliefs and overcomes any language or cultural obstacles thanks to Home-Start’s bilingual teams and culturally sensitive volunteers.
Families that get even two hours per week of Home-Start’s volunteer assistance, which provides them with listening and practical support at home or in small groups, report:
- 91% report an improvement in their mental health.
- 84% of parents believe they can better assist their child’s growth.
Derek Terrell, Home-Start Croydon’s operations manager, said:
“The demand for the services we provide continues to grow and the complexity of the issues faced is also increasing; we’re seeing more families coming to us overwhelmed by the pressure of simply trying to get by.
Our volunteers offer a lifeline – helping parents feel less alone, more able to cope, with a better understanding of service available locally and more able to focus on their children.”
Weekly home visits and small group sessions are provided to local families throughout Croydon by over 60 local volunteers.
Volunteers are being sought for by Home-Start Croydon to assist families. To find out more or to volunteer, go to www.croydon-homestart.co.uk.
What kind of emotional support do families with children receive from Home-start in Croydon?
Trained Home-Start coordinators and volunteers provide families with a sympathetic, private, and nonjudgmental listening ear for their concerns, frustrations, and emotions. This makes parents feel more understood and less alone.
In order to help families deal with the psychological effects of receiving a disability diagnosis, continuing care obligations, or associated stress and anxiety, Home-Start can offer or assist families in accessing counseling.
Volunteers spend two to three hours each week visiting families in their homes to provide practical assistance, emotional support, and encouragement. This constant presence fosters trust and provides a secure space for parents to vent their emotions.
By giving them the confidence to voice their demands and negotiate statutory services, which may frequently feel intimidating or hostile, Home-Start enables parents to speak out for both themselves and their kids.