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
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…
Christmas group closures
Christmas group closuresPlease see below for our Christmas group closures: - The last Bridport and Tumbledown group will take place on 2nd December - All other groups will run the following week, with the last group on 11th December - All groups will return w/c 5th January
Life-changing Volunteers and Fantastic Fundraisers Celebrated at Home-Start Wessex Afternoon Tea Event
Life-changing Volunteers and Fantastic Fundraisers Celebrated at Home-Start Wessex Afternoon Tea EventStaff, volunteers and supporters came together at our Kinson office to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our volunteers and to thank our fantastic fundraisers and supporters. Chief Executive Kathy Fryatt-Banks highlighted some of our achievements over the past 30…
Trustees Week Spotlight – Pete
Trustees Week Spotlight - PeteI’m Pete Evans and I’m very happy to have joined the HomeStart family as a trustee. After a long career in Change & Improvement with businesses like, Vodafone, Mærsk Line and The LEGO Group I am now semi-retired. I consult on Business Improvement and teach/coach NHS workers at…
A family’s story
A Family\'s Story When baby was born with a serious heart defect, the family’s world was turned upside down. Within days, their newborn was fighting for life in intensive care, and open-heart surgery became a terrifying reality. While mum stayed by the baby’s bedside at the hospital, dad juggled time…
Fundraising and Events Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteer Spotlight: Abdulai As a dedicated Fundraising and Events volunteer, Abdulai has been an incredible advocate for Home-Start Wessex, helping raise awareness of our work supporting local families. Over the past year, he’s represented us at events including Little Pickles Market and Broadstone Fun Day, connecting with the community and sharing…