Home-Start Camden & Islington matches families going through a difficult time with a trained volunteer with parenting experience. Volunteers do weekly home visits for 3–4 hours and provide non-judgemental, peer-to-peer support.

• Help keep appointments by accompanying parents on difficult journeys with children
• Listen to parents who are isolated, lonely or depressed
• Play with children
• Provide guidance on parenting issues

Eligibility criteria

Inclusions

• Family is going through a difficult period in their lives
• About to have a baby or at least one child under age of 5 years
• Resident of Camden and Islington

Exclusions

• Domestic violence (if perpetrator is resident)
• Current alcohol or substance misuse
• Situations that may present health and safety issues for staff or volunteers

How to refer

The following clinicians can refer to this service: GPs