The earliest years make a big difference. Home-Start Wessex helps to make those years count, so no child's future is limited.
Being a parent can be lonely, frustrating and overwhelming. Home-Start Wessex is there for families when they need it the most, because childhood can't wait.
Home-Start Wessex is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support. We help families with children under five with practical and confidential support.
We’ve expanded our catchment following West Dorset closure – click here to find out more.
Welcome to Home-Start Wessex
Following the recent closure of Home-Start West Dorset, with immediate effect we have expanded our catchment to now include all of South Dorset to make sure families and volunteers are not adversely affected. Our services are now being provided across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, the Purbecks, Weymouth, Portland, Dorchester, Bridport and across into the Wiltshire and Hampshire borders.
For 28 years, we’ve supported local, vulnerable and disadvantaged families with young children through challenging times. Now they need us more than ever.
In the last year we helped a record 402 families, our highest ever with a 63% increase and demand continuing to rise.
We are working hard to keep up with demand and help the local families that need us, but we can’t do this alone. We need your support.
Recent Posts
MyBnk – Managing Expectations Around Festive Spending
With the festive season just around the corner and the higher cost of living affecting us all, Laura Ellis from financial education charity MyBnk gives her top tips to reduce the strain on your bank balance. Gifts: Compare prices online: Before you buy anything, take a few minutes to look…
Home-Start Wessex opens its doors to families in need as Home-Start West Dorset becomes victim of funding crisis
Home-Start Wessex is extending its reach to support families in West Dorset as sister organisation Home-Start West Dorset was forced to close its doors. In a statement on its website, the West Dorset charity announced: “It is with great sadness we announce the closure of Home-Start West Dorset. As an…
Book Stall
We are thrilled to announce Home-Start Wessex is now the nominated charity at Tesco Ferndown's charity book stall! We're collecting book donations to stock the stall, so if you have any you're looking to pass on, please consider donating them. Each book purchase goes towards our vital cause, so it'd…
Virtual Volunteer Fair
Volunteer Centre Dorset are inviting you to find out about volunteering opportunities across Dorset and Home-Start Wessex will be attending. This is a great chance to find out more about some Dorset charities who are in need of your help. There will be opportunities for you to ask questions about…
National Lottery Fund
We would like to thank The National Lottery Community Fund and National Lottery players for supporting us to run our project to empower local vulnerable families to recover and rebuild together. Their funding helped us to support a record 402 families last year, transforming the lives of children under 5…
Acts Fast
Acts Fast visited our volunteers to share the work they do supporting families impacted by child sexual abuse, sexual assault and indecent images of children. Working alongside other organisations allows Home-Start Wessex to signpost where appropriate to strengthen the support system surrounding families who may be struggling with a number…
Your Mind Your Say
World Mental Health Day seemed like an appropriate time to share an invitation from NHS Dorset. NHS Dorset are inviting young people aged 16-25 and young people 0-16 with their parents/carers to their next meeting on Wednesday 25 October 2023, 1 - 2:30pm to make sure young people can feed…
Well Done
A big well done and thank you to Scott Richmond and Richard Frost for taking part in the Bournemouth Half Marathon yesterday for us, raising over £700 between them! We appreciate any and all donations, big or small, and we'd love any of you to get involved. To #findyour50, head…
Beach Clean-Up
As a friend of Dorset Tea, Home-Start Wessex has been invited to join the community beach clean this Saturday 7th October on Swanage Beach. Dorset Tea are joining forces with their charity partner the Marine Conservation Society. They’ll be spending the day on Swanage Beach collecting litter to stop it from…
Support Our Runners
We're very excited to announce we have two runners taking part in the Bournemouth Half Marathon on 8th October 2023. Scott Richmond and Richard Frost will both be running the race, already raising over £300 between them. Good luck; we can't wait to hear how you get on. If you'd…
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?