Research from family support charity Home-Start London has found that nearly 9 in 10 of the London families they help say that money worries are making parenting harder.
Time to help: Home-Start Croydon is seeking more volunteers to help with their charity’s work
The findings, released during Maternal Mental Health Week, highlight problems affecting families in Croydon.
Home-Start is an independent charity which operates local networks of trained volunteers and experts helping families with young children through their most challenging times.
Home-Start Croydon, which supports more than 3,000 families across the borough, has seen demand for its group-based support services rise by 23% over the last year. Its one-to-one support is always over-subscribed – a sign of mounting pressure on parents.
The study, based on responses from 300 families supported by local Home-Starts across London, found:
- 86% of families say money worries are making parenting harder
- 81% feel stressed and anxious due to money worries
- Single parents are struggling with the cost of living. 54% of single parents struggle to afford essentials like food and nappies (compared to 39% of two parent families).
- 47% say they need more emotional support, rising to 74% of families with children with disabilities, a long-term health condition or additional needs
Meanwhile, families who are receiving even just two hours a week of Home-Start’s volunteer support, which gives families practical help and listening support at home or in small groups, report:
- 91% say their mental health has improved
- 84% feel better able to support their child’s development
Derek Terrell, Home-Start Croydon’s operations manager, said: “The demand for the services we provide continues to grow and the complexity of the issues faced is also increasing; we’re seeing more families coming to us overwhelmed by the pressure of simply trying to get by.
“Our volunteers offer a lifeline – helping parents feel less alone, more able to cope, with a better understanding of service available locally and more able to focus on their children.”
Across Croydon, more than 60 local volunteers offer weekly home visits and small group sessions to local families.
Home-Start Croydon is actively recruiting volunteers to help families. To learn more or get involved, visit: www.croydon-homestart.co.uk/volunteer
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