The family were referred to us by children’s disability services. Successful parents tried for years to have a baby. They finally got pregnant, and everything was going well, until delivery day. The birth was so traumatic that not only was the baby starved of oxygen, but the parents were also told to prepare for the worst as he was unlikely to survive. This resulted in a severe PTSD and anxiety for mum. Triggering compulsive hording of immediate things, no planning ahead in fear that he would die after spending a year in hospital.  All the support was around the medical needs of the baby and no support was given to the parent’s emotional wellbeing. Home-Start Wessex then placed them with one of our specially trained volunteers. The parents at first couldn’t believe that there was an organisation that would freely offer their time and have such a great understanding of their needs and the impact of the catastrophic injuries resulting from the birth. The child was left with cerebral palsy, effecting limbs, blindness, and a life that will need constant care.  Our volunteer offered gentle reassurance and over time mum was able to relax, trust and find her feet with her new life. Also, giving the time and space to get the right services in place. One of the first and simplest things that our volunteer offered was getting mum’s confidence to drive again by being there with her.  It became one of the most effective things that made a difference moving forward as mum said, “I can drive on my own now, which makes a massive difference.”