A support network is vital for young families, and last week (alongside Swanley Mayor Lesley Dyball) I had the pleasure of meeting the amazing Debbie Bowler and Swanley project worker Kerry Ashdowne from the charity Home-Start UK to hear about the very important work they do.
Home Start is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times. Home-Start North West Kent (https://homestartnwkent.org.uk/) covers areas as Swanley, New Ash Green and West Kingsdown and the Home-Start South West Kent branches covers all those in the south of the constituency. (https://www.home-start.org.uk/home-start-south-west-kent) - so if you, or someone you know, is struggling with bringing up young children, please consider contacting (or recommending) Home Start. To be considered for help, the family concerned must have at least one child 0-5 years, and support can cover a variety of circumstances such as: loneliness, isolation, children with special needs, depression, postnatal depression, self-esteem issues and domestic abuse.
What also became very clear from talking to Kerry, was just how fulfilling the role of a #volunteer is. Full training is offered to all those who get involved, so if you think this is something you would like to explore, please visit: https://www.home-start.org.uk/.../category/how-to-volunteer
