Stakeholder Feedback

Stakeholder Feedback

I am so proud of how far I have come…rebuilding the relationship with my family, getting a job, having our own home. You helped us get this flat and with all the support in the home with cooking, healthy eating, feeling better about myself and with my health. It has all helped with my mental health too. Thank you.

Thank you so much for the laptop, I was so worried how I was going to complete my coursework as I only had my phone to use – I managed to set it up really easily with no help and it’s been so much easier to do everything I need to do. Life is so much easier now.

XXXX would never have gone to nursery if it wasn’t for Home-Start encouraging me to send her. I know how important it is and she is really benefitting and has made new friends.

I was feeling really really down and although it took me half an hour to get out of the house I took myself and XXX for the walk we did with my volunteer and I felt so much better when I got back. Thank you for supporting me.

The session we did on weaning and how to deal with a choking child as given me the confidence to start using baby-led weaning and give him larger bits of food to feed himself.

You are so kind. We are really touched and grateful to you and Home-Start. Thank you.

I have grown in my confidence, made new friends and now got my anxiety under control. I feel better in myself and I am just starting to see the change in my confidence for myself.

It has really helped me coming to group sessions as it has made me realise other people have struggles too. They might not be the same as mine but I am not on my own with finding being a parent hard.

I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without Home-Start’s help and for that I’m forever grateful.

No one would ever have known about the problem I had with debt. I didn’t open the door or answer phone calls due to my anxiety and I never opened my mail. If Home-Start hadn’t got involved I wouldn’t have made those changes. I feel a weight has been lifted from my shoulders and I have got on top of the debt and my budgeting. The help from Home-Start has really pushed me. I can now look forward to going to work without worrying about everything else. Thank you.

Thank you for everything you’ve done over the last couple of years. You’ve changed our lives in so many ways.

I would recommend Home-Start, especially to anyone with mental health issues as it’s like a safe space to be.

Since starting Home-Start I am now able to talk to people, I couldn’t speak to anyone before. I’m not lonely so much and get out and about more whereas before I never left the house.

My volunteer comes once a week to help me to get used to different environments and to integrate into the local community, I hope one day that I will have the confidence to do this on my own.

I have never engaged with services due to bad experiences in the past and was unsure that Home-Start would be any different or could do anything to help me.  I am so glad I opened the door – they have made a huge difference to my life.

XXX is absolutely delighted and feels much more positive about everything.  She felt you were encouraging and supportive and completely put her mind at ease, so thank you. I was also really impressed with the response and support from your service so please pass on our feedback to your team.

When I saw her yesterday she had had a lovely time at group, she was really talkative and was lovely with her son. She didn’t flinch at his nappy changes, she spoke to him gently all the time and kept kissing his head when he was on her knee.

The difference you have made to XXX is amazing. She is so confident now. She always talks about all the things she has learnt in group support.

The session was emotional,  but I felt safe and valued.

Really good session, it put my mind at rest and it was good to meet everyone in an informal class.  Excited to know more – a real eyeopener.

Super friendly welcome and atmosphere throughout. Really informative and has fostered more enthusiasm to start volunteering. Very friendly and down to earth made the training interesting.

1999

Home-Start Kirklees is launched.

2000

Home-Start has 39 volunteers available to support families and an employed staff team of 4.

2001

Home-Start family group drop in opens at Brian Jackson House.

2002

Home-Start mission statement developed- 108 families supported.

2003

We are visited by David Blunkett (then Home Secretary for the Government) .

2004

A £300,000 Lottery community fund grant was awarded and the staff team were expanded.

2005

A trial Kirklees Family Support worker pilot was set up in the Deighton area. The first Family Support Worker post in Kirklees.

2005

The ‘New to U’ scheme was set up funded by Kirklees Teenage Pregnancy Strategy – this has latterly evolved into our successful Young Parents Service.

2006

Home-Start secured new working premises at a disused Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing office in Dalton. The start of a 15-year tenure.

2009

Home-Start founder Margaret Harrison visits our 10th anniversary AGM.

2015

A Nurturing Parents pilot is launched with funding from Kirklees Public Health. Volunteers are trained and then key messages around Infant Mental Health are cascaded to families and new volunteers recruited.

2017

Home-Start Kirklees enters into the Thriving Kirklees partnership with 4 other key partners.

2018

Home-Start Kirklees achieves the Kirklees Volunteering Quality Award (the first of many).

2019

Home-Start Kirklees celebrates 20 years of supporting families and achieves the Quality for Health Award Level 2 award via Voluntary Action Calderdale/West Yorkshire & Harrogate Integrated Care Partnership.

2020

Home Start Kirklees successfully pivots to remote working during the Covid 19 pandemic.

2021

Home-Start Kirklees moves office accommodation to Bates Mill in central Huddersfield.

2024

Home-Start Kirklees moves back to direct funding by Kirklees Council following the disbanding of Thriving Kirklees and celebrates its 25th year of supporting a record number of 293 families with 577 children in 2023/24.