What people say about us
We evaluate all aspects of our service delivery and are continually striving to improve and develop, ensuring that we are responsive to need. All the feedback we receive shows the value placed on our service and the impact we have on the lives of families, with a variety of needs, throughout Sheffield.
- What families say about us
- What children say about us
- What volunteers say about us
- What professionals say about us
What families say about us
He's a very content baby but I felt anxious and nervous all the time. At the group if I'm not having a very good day I can say I'm having a bad day and everyone understands.
Andrea
I suffer with Post-Natal Depression and am unable to cope looking after my 2 small children alone, my partner is my carer. Knowing that every week my Home-Start Volunteer will be there to help me has enabled my partner to have a couple of hours off to do his own thing and allowed me some independence.
Katy
With what I went through with being homeless and nearly losing my children, I owe everything to my volunteer Cheryl and Jo of course. I wouldn't be where I am today without their support.
Holly
What children say about us
Have fun. Go to the park. Have a cuddle.
Arizona, age 8
Me and my sisters like to go to the park and sometimes shopping with our volunteer. We can't wait until she comes again.
Aneesa, age 7
Jayden runs to Kirsty when she arrives. Jayden and I have made a really good friend.
Liesje, Jayden's Mum
What volunteers say about us
We are there to offer the help which our families think they need, not the help that we think they need.
Gwen
When we visit a family we go as another parent, no other label. We are able to share their experiences and worries. We don't clock-watch and can respond to the needs of the family that day.
Mike
Being a volunteer with Home-Start has enabled me to meet lots of lovely families and be part of their lives. This was wonderful for me as it came at a time when my children were growing up and becoming independent and it was nice to feel needed.
Jo
What professionals say about us
I want to have on record how helpful your volunteer, Amanda, was on Friday, in supporting her 'family' to attend the Step by Step group work programme. Her support and practical help in looking after the baby enable the mother to relax and attend the group, which will hopefully make a difference to her and her older child, and support them in recovering from the effects of living with domestic abuse. This is good multi agency working!
Jen Creaghan, Step by Step Programme Leader
Over the past three years Home-Start have built up a support network for many mums and their children - helping them to recover from perinatal mental illness and engage with their children through their confidential and non-judgemental one to one and group support services.
Michelle Barnes, Chair of Sheffield Maternity Services Liaison Committee
Having a Home-Start volunteer has been a huge support for families - knowing someone reliable is coming every week with a listening ear, someone to give a break to mum when she's with the children 24hrs a day - this has helped mums to keep going, be loving and patient with their children and it has also given the children a reliable solid person outside the family.
Sara Saatzer, Family Support Worker, Sharrow
Independent evaluation report
Download an independent evaluation of Home-Start Sheffield (Word document)
