The Power of Relationships: Supporting the mental health of parents, babies and young children
A tough time for families in London
“I’m really struggling with the cost of everything. It means I can’t get things and we can’t have family and friends over. I’m constantly worried and it’s affecting my children.” (Mum supported by Home-Start).
The parents we support across London are under increased pressure. Many are struggling to pay bills and having to cut back on essentials. Most are anxious about how they will cope over the months ahead.
At Home-Start we are in family homes across London every day, we see how family life is being strained and its consequences. Adversity, whether acute or chronic, impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of parents. It impacts their social networks and resources, and their ability to provide nurturing care for their children.
Nurturing relationships with a parent or carer are the most significant, protective factor in the mental health of babies and young children. Through these relationships, they learn how to manage emotions and feel safe to explore the world. They also develop capacities that support their future health and happiness. When parents are finding it difficult to cope, children are less likely to receive this critical support.
The magic of Home-Start support
At Home-Start we offer compassionate, non-judgemental support to parents through their toughest times. Most of the parents referred to our services face mental health difficulties alongside other disadvantages including social isolation, poverty, and disability.
Uniquely, families invite us into their homes which means we work differently to statutory services. Volunteers offer practical and emotional support every week over many months. They are a trusted, reliable, and consistent presence in family life.
The relationships our volunteers build with families are key to breaking down the stigma and fear around mental health, building confidence, and integrating families into their community. Staff and volunteers are trained to identify perinatal mental health needs early, offer support and link parent to specialist services if needed.
Our volunteers also help strengthen the parent-infant relationship that is so important for the mental health of babies and young children. They model positive interactions, offer feedback and reassurance to parents, and encourage play. Moments of joy and laughter can be valuable opportunities for the healing and deepening of relationships.
“I was really isolated. Meeting with my volunteer gave me something to look forward to. It felt good to have a new relationship to build on, and I could speak freely about how I was feeling.” (Mum supported by Home-Start)
With our support, parents are empowered to move forward and avoid crisis point. Drawing on their strengths, they build the confidence, skills, and relationships to support themselves and their families to thrive – now and long into the future.
Get involved
Home-Start’s network of community volunteers across London currently supports over 7,500 families and 10,000 children. But we must do more. With so many families facing tough times, we are currently unable to meet demand.
There are lots of ways to support our work: