New ‘Behind Closed Doors’ Home-Start Wessex Campaign

Home-Start Wessex has launched a new appeal for help to support local parents who are silently battling overwhelming challenges behind closed doors. It highlights the struggles many local families face, including dealing with mental health issues, grief, domestic abuse and the additional challenges of looking after a disabled child.

We are approaching local employers asking them to put the hard-hitting posters up behind toilet doors. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of Home-Start Wessex and the people we support, whilst also raising funds to help continue our vital work to provide emotional support that improves mental health, builds resilience, brings joy to children and helps parents face their challenges.

Caroline Pope, Corporate Partnerships & Marketing Manager at Home-Start Wessex, said, “Many mums are under huge pressure to return to work after having their baby. They may be worried about ther income or their career prospects. Yet they may still be physically and emotionally recovering from having a baby as well as dealing with a huge mental load.

Women are often too good at carrying on even if they are not coping, covering up what they are really feeling and putting on a front for their employers, and even their friends and family. We want these parents to know that we are there for them, whatever their circumstances and whatever their situation.

At times, being a parent can feel like the hardest, loneliest job in the world. It can be frustrating, heartbreaking and overwhelming. All parents struggle at one time or another. However, for some, the challenges can be greater.

Our trained volunteers can offer support that’s geared towards each parent and their family. The support we give is totally non-judgmental; it’s simply compassionate, confidential and individual. We hope that local employers will support the campaign and take that extra step to support the health and wellbeing of their employees, as well as help us raise vital funds to continue our life-changing work.”

If you or your employer could support the Behind Close Doors campaign, please contact office@homestartwessex.org.uk. Anyone can text PARENTS to 70470 to donate £5 today.