Welcome to Home-Start Wessex
For 30 years, we’ve provided family support to local, vulnerable and disadvantaged families with at least one child under five.
In the last year we helped a record number of families with demand continuing to rise.
We are working hard to keep up with this demand and help the local families that need us, but we can’t do this alone. We need the support of the whole community.
Get support
We work with you to build on your strengths and give you the support you tell us you need.
Ways to volunteer
By volunteering just a few hours a week you can transform the lives of young children and their parents in your community.
Why fundraise for us?
A child’s earliest years are the most important. Home-Start wants to make sure those years count. Can you help us?
Latest
Storytime at the Shop
Storytime at the ShopWe are very excited to share that we will now be hosting Storytime every week at the Home-Start Wessex Family Charity Shop! Join us on the first Thursday of every month at 10am; all children are welcome. We are looking forward to seeing as many of you…
A Family’s Story
A Family\'s StoryThis family consisted of Mum (a healthcare professional) and 7 children living in a 3-bedroom home in Dorchester. 4 of the children were on an ASD pathway and 2 had other medical needs. The youngest two children were traumatic twin births, born several weeks premature in July 2023.…
Harkwell Signs Up To Support Home-Start Wessex 30 for 30 campaign
Harkwell Signs Up To Support Home-Start Wessex 30 For 30 CampaignHome-Start Wessex is delighted to welcome Harkwell as the latest official supporter of its 30 for 30 campaign. To celebrate 30 years of supporting local families, we have launched a search for 30 businesses to support 30 local families. By…
SGN / NEA Family Fun Day
A fantastic Family Fun Day We recently enjoyed the most wonderful Family Fun Day, and what a day it was! Thanks to the generous support of SGN and National Energy Action, we were able to bring families together for an afternoon filled with laughter, connection and fun. Sensory Smiles with…
Bex’s London Marathon 2026
Bex\'s London Marathon 2026We are very excited to share that Bex will be running the London Marathon this year, with a third of the donations going towards Home-Start Wessex. Read her story below and make sure to head over to her GiveWheel page to follow her story and donate. \"Where…
Crowned Double Winners at the Dorchester Business Awards
Home-Start Wessex Crowned Double Winners at the Dorchester Business AwardsHome-Start Wessex is delighted to have won two awards at the Dorchester Business Awards 2026. Organised by Marketing West, the Dorchester Business Awards recognise and reward local businesses and organisations that have made a significant contribution to the local area. The…
Shop Now Open
Home-Start Wessex’s first-ever family charity shop now open in Christchurch Home-Start Wessex is delighted to announce the opening of its first-ever family charity shop and family support hub in Christchurch, Dorset. Work began last year to transform empty retail units in Christchurch, Dorset, redesigning and refitting the space to create…
Home-Start Wessex to open its first-ever family charity shop in 2026
Home-Start Wessex to open its first-ever family charity shop in 2026Work has begun to transform empty retail units in Christchurch into Home Start Wessex’s first-ever family charity shop and family support hub to open 12th February. The space, previously occupied by Holland & Barrett & M’s Bakery, will be redesigned…
Home-Start Wessex Crowned Best Place to Work at Bridport Business Awards
Home-Start Wessex Crowned Best Place to Work at Bridport Business AwardsHome-Start Wessex is delighted to have won the Best Place to Work Award at the Bridport Business Awards 2026. The winners were crowned at a special awards ceremony attended by over 60 local business representatives. Organised by Marketing West, the…
Group Christmas parties
Christmas Christmas partiesWe\'ve had lots of fantastic Christmas parties across our Dorset groups over the past couple of weeks! With visits from Santa, party food, presents, festive songs and Christmas crafts, there\'s been so much fun and laughter. We\'ve all had a wonderful time celebrating together and spreading a little…