A family with six children aged 0-13 were referred to us after mum gave birth and was admitted to a psychiatric mother and baby unit after the birth which was traumatic.
Mum was struggling with perinatal and post-natal mental health and was admitted as additional needs of post-natal psychosis including suicidal ideation, self-harm, and attachment issues were diagnosed. She was unable to bond or even acknowledge her baby due to her illness and was experiencing a great deal of guilt because of this.
Additionally one of her older children (C2) has mental health and learning difficulties and was being assessed for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Dad was under immense pressure caring for his wife and children and the family had become very isolated.
Home-Start Wessex matched the family with a trained volunteer who had relevant experience including a background in Occupational Therapy. Following an introduction, the volunteer visited the family weekly providing activities for the children and helping the parents with interventions and approaches to help C2 with her emotions and additional needs. Support was provided for mum to bond with baby and gain confidence in this relationship.
Practical help was provided to support the family with accessing ASD assessments and support from the ‘Community Mental Health Team’ (CMHT) for C2 to make sure she got the interventions and support needed for a successful educational experience. Also with helping the family access a grant for a sofa bed to help resolve cramped living conditions.
Once mums’ confidence had grown, relationships strengthened and the family were in a good routine volunteer support ended and she transitioned to our weekly ‘Haven’ family group enabling her to meet other mums with similar experiences helping to remove shame, boost confidence, and make friends. As she transitioned back into work a short-term 6-weeks of volunteer support via phone was provided and she joined our outside ‘Wellness Walks’ group.
As a result of our help mum said she can’t believe she had the confidence to go back to work and do so many things she would have been terrified to do before. All children were settled into school or nursery with C2 receiving support from CAMHS and an ECHP ensuring she is getting the help she needs. The youngest child is thriving and well-bonded to his mum and dad and settled at nursery.
”I am going to miss you guys, if I didn’t have Home-Start, I wouldn’t have got through last year. I felt so alone.”