Home-Start Winchester and Districts

We all know that raising young children can be overwhelming at times, especially for parents without nearby family or a support network of friends. It can be lonely, frustrating and sometimes heart-breaking. And life-changing events can happen to anyone at any time.

Home-Start Winchester and Districts (HSW) provides non-judgmental support to help young families through the toughest times, helping them to stay together and thrive. Trained volunteers offer friendship, practical and emotional support for a variety of challenges parents face including things like:

• Post natal depression or bereavement
• Isolation or domestic abuse
• Poor mental or physical health
• Financial worries
• Multiple births or children with special needs

Last year, Thomas Miller’s director Sue Thomas became a Trustee and we committed our studio services, our experience and time.  Sue’s focus is on raising the profile of this incredible local charity (which operates independently under the umbrella of National Charity Home-Start UK and is totally self-funding).
We are creating fundraising and event marketing collateral, helping to increase interest and sponsorship from local business and working on receiving donations from individuals. We also desperately need new volunteers as increasing demand from more families means we don’t have enough to cover the growing need.

Sue is invested in making a big difference and said:

“After years of austerity and under-investment in communities, too many families, parents and children are struggling to cope. Home-Start Winchester and Districts is particularly challenged with the perception that because we live in an affluent region we are rich and don’t have families in need. Nothing could be further from the truth.  We have families in two areas considered as the most deprived in the UK. That stark contrast in demographic also carries its own challenges for struggling families who feel even more isolated and overlooked. Too often because of our location, we can be overlooked for funding and grants. Yet since the closure of government schemes like Sure Start we are now virtually the only organisation working to help keep young families together and children out of the care system. We provide a vital lifeline for parents when it matters most”.

HSW is a self-funded charity, operating under the Home-Start UK movement and adhering to strict Quality Assurance and safeguarding standards.

Support is offered free of charge, HSW rely entirely on donations, fundraising, and grants. www.home-startwinchester.org.uk

2024 -present

Home-Start Winchester and Districts

Marketing, copywriting, design, artwork, social media, advocacy.