Annual Report

2018/2019

Home-Start

Spelthorne

The Essence of Home-Start

Since 1996 Home-Start Spelthorne has been supporting families to identify their

unique needs and assist them in developing the skills and confidence necessary to build

better lives for themselves and their children. Over the last 23 years Home-Start has

received nearly 2000 referrals from many different organisations and has supported

thousands of children living in the Borough of Spelthorne.

Home-Start Spelthorne is managed and funded locally. We are supported by the

national organisation, Home-Start UK, which offers advice, training, information and

guidance to the Home-Start network to ensure consistent and quality support for

parents and children.

Home-Start offers a unique service. We recruit and train volunteers who are usually

parents themselves to visit families at home who have at least one child under 5 and to

offer them informal, friendly and confidential support. We tailor our support to each

family and their specific needs, and we work with the whole family; providing a package

of support, comprised of emotional and practical support, activities with children and

help to access services.

To help give children the best possible start in life, Home-Start supports parents as

they grow in confidence, strengthen their relationship with their children and widen

their links with the local community.

Home-Start Spelthorne is

• Community based and led by local need

• Based on a relationship of trust built between volunteer and family with evidence

showing both parties benefit

• Outcome-focused, with a focus on empowering families and volunteers

Our values

• We offer families choice

• We work in partnership – with each other, with families, and with other agencies

• We work in a spirit of openness, encouragement and enjoyment

• We are flexible and responsive to the needs of families

Our Management Committee

Home-Start Spelthorne is an independent charity with Trustees being responsible for

directing the management and administration of the charity. Trustees have a wide range of

roles but are primarily responsible for making the charity effective, providing overall direction

and maintaining sound management of funds.

Chairperson - Beth Scott

Vice Chairperson - Jenny Sice

Treasurer - Anne Damerell

Trustees - Carol Folly

Vivian Williams

Pat Dowthwaite

Sue Price

Kevin Bulfin

Jean Rogers

Christine Knight

Volunteer

Representatives - Wendy Webb

Isobel Parr

Family

Representative - Gemma Morgan

Surrey CC Social Care

Representative - Dawn Durban Team Manager

North East Child in Need Team

Our Staff

Amanda Salmon Tori Biutanaseva Hazel Want Nicky Webster Mandy Groves Family Support Family Support Administrator Family Support Strategic and Development

Manager Co-ordinator Co-ordinator Manager

Our Volunteers

Linda D Tracy Janet Di Geraldine Liz Hayley

Barbara O Wendy Denise Margaret Jackie Linda M

Christine F Lisa Sam Fiona Barbara G Eloho Sue F

Barbara G Alex Carmel Gillian Vilma Jayne Nikki

Isobel Di S Janet S Lin Lisa L Min Sam E

Trina Hilary Amanda Linda Kathy Anne Grace

Espe June Kimberly Joe Zaneta Susie Chris

Sue Julie Maggie Shannon Arthi

Total of 53 Home-visiting Volunteers

We wish to express our warmest thanks and appreciation for everything our volunteers

have done to support families in Spelthorne during this year.

Welcome and Goodbye

Welcome

Grace Espe June Kimberly Joe Zaneta Alex Min Sam E Trina

Vilma Denise Lisa B Barbara

Barbara G Jayne Lin Linda D

Susie Chris Sue Julie Jean Maggie Shannon

Arthi and Christine not in photo

Goodbye

and thank

you

Chairperson’s report

The scheme continues to hold to our core belief that we support families to give children the best

possible start in life.

‘when sorrows come, not single but in battalions’

Surrey County Council is still trying to work out how to fund Early Help needs. Home-Start Surrey is

working to solve this challenge as well as looking for new ways of funding the County Council’s short fall.

Home-Start UK has revamped its services and image which involves more work for our scheme. Despite

these uncertainties, thank goodness for our loyal friends and supporters, and those searching for new

means of financial donations. (Our Treasurer will give more details).

Thanks go to our stalwart trustees. Farewell to Joan Ponton who has been a most loyal supporter for 19

years. We wish her and Bob a restful retirement! Farewell to dear Carol Folly whose insightfulness has

been most refreshing and shrewd. We are delighted that Pat Dowthwaite is well on the road to recovery.

Welcome to Christine Knight who has ‘hit the deck running’ among other things, keeping an eye on new

ideas from HS-UK. Thanks to Viv Williams and her husband Gareth for all they have done with the

beautiful website and the maintenance of our IT equipment. I am particularly grateful to our Treasurer

Anne who understands all and is able to explain all. The staff, the trustees and our supporters continue

to ensure that the scheme holds fast to our core belief. Thank you.

Beth Scott

Family Support Manager’s report

What a Difference a Day Makes!

Every day in Home-Start Spelthorne, staff and volunteers are making a difference for the families we

support in the community. Hazel, our administrator may make a call to a family to arrange an appointment

for an initial visit, offering reassurance that we can help, thus giving them hope. Nicky, our Family

Support Co-ordinator might visit a family for an initial assessment when time will be spent listening to

the parent(s) sharing their concerns. Nicky will advise the family on how Home-Start can help and may

also signpost to other organisations. This visit alone can help the parent(s) and child(ren) to feel valued

and supported. Tori, our Family Support Co-ordinator may be meeting with a volunteer for supervision.

During this meeting, the volunteer will feedback on the progress the family are making and there will be

a discussion about how to meet any ongoing needs the family still has, as well as any additional training

needs of the volunteer. Tori will listen to the volunteer and offer advice, support and additional

information if required, thus motivating the volunteer and encouraging their development. In my role as

Family Support Manager, I might be attending a local networking meeting to give a presentation and

raise the profile of Home-Start, thus encouraging other organisations and local companies to make

referrals or help fundraise. On another day, Nicky, Tori and myself might all be introducing volunteers

to new families who are then relieved that they will be receiving regular support that is non-judgmental,

flexible and respectful.

On a daily basis, there will be some of our volunteers making their weekly visit to the family they support.

One volunteer might be supporting a mum with poor mental well-being and giving her the opportunity to

share her concerns so that she feels less anxious and isolated. This will then have a positive impact on

the children as mum is more relaxed and better equipped to cope as a parent. Another volunteer might

be accompanying dad and his child to a playgroup encouraging him to build relationships with other

parents and allowing his child to have social interaction.

In Home-Start every day counts and every day can really make a difference! I would like to personally

thank all our staff, trustees and volunteers for the difference they have already made and will continue

to, as families in Spelthorne receive our support.

Amanda Salmon

Treasurer’s report

Thanks to the generosity of donors and the unstinting efforts of fundraisers, we finished the

year 2018-19 with a surplus of £5,000, raising our reserves to almost £66,000, the highest

they have ever been. This will be a lifesaver in the storms ahead. We are in the process of

bidding for the next Surrey CC contract for Early Help services, which will probably be for

about £15,000 less than the current contract. So those reserves will be needed to carry us

through while our fundraising is geared up to an even higher level. The year 2019-20 has

started well: we are delighted that the BBC Children in Need grant has been extended for

another three years, and that the Community Foundation for Surrey have given us £5,000 from

their Borrows Charitable Trust Fund.

It is my pleasure as ever to record our thanks to our principal funders, Surrey County Council,

Spelthorne Borough Council, NW Surrey Clinical Commissioning Group and BBC Children in Need;

and to all the other people and organisations who have so generously supported us, including

Shepperton Parish Charity, councillors Islam, T. Evans, Mooney & Capes, Mencap, Sunbury

Neighbours, Tesco, the Co-op, the Entertainer, and the indefatigable Virginia Pale-Parsons who

continued her series of sponsored 10K runs. There are many others, and the full list is on the

inside back cover. We also receive gifts in kind, such as hampers and Easter eggs for the

families. Sunbury and Shepperton Rotary club again funded a party for children and families,

and they and Staines Rotary Club both allowed us slots in their Christmas collecting.

On behalf of all the Home-Start staff, trustees, volunteers and families I thank all these

donors, and our marvellous fundraising committee who organise such a variety of events, and

all those who have participated and given their time in many ways.

Salary costs rose in 2018-19 because of an increase in the national NJC pay scales, but other

costs have not changed significantly. Financial and other risks are reviewed regularly, and

procedures agreed to manage them. We have more than satisfied our reserves policy, which

states that at least six months costs will be held in reserves for unpredicted expenses or

opportunities, or in the worst case to fund closure. The charity has no debts secured by

charges on its assets, and has given no guarantees leading to potential liabilities.

Home-Start Spelthorne has an excellent team of dedicated staff and volunteers backed by a

strong management committee. My thanks go to all of them and to our helpful auditor David

Thomas.

Anne Damerell

Accounts

Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2019

CiN Unrestricted Total 17-18

Receipts

SCC and CCG 40,500 40,500 39,700

Spelthorne BC 15,400 15,400 15,000

Children in Need 15,790 15,790 15,320

Comic Relief 5,000

SBC councillors 685 685 7,185

SCC councillors 2,189 2,189 2,000

Shepperton Parish Charity 2,500 2,500 2,500

Donations 13,222 13,222 7,871

Fundraising 8,599 8,599 9,319

Bank interest 104 104 31

Total 15,790 83,199 98,989 103,926

Payments

Salaries 14,065 62,867 76,932 72,131

Rent 1,800 1,800 1,800

Home-Start UK fee 1,871 1,871 1,611

Travel expenses 1,614 2,706 4,320 4,147

Stationery & post 2,935 2,935 2,629

Insurance 766 766 780

Training & support 385 867 1,252 1,107

Phones & IT 1,549 1,549 1,699

Equipment 1,966 1,966 1,217

Electricity 833

Sundries 413 413 174

Total 16,064 77,740 93,804 88,128

Surplus/(deficit) 5,185 15,798

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Cash funds on 31 March 19: £65,913 after increase of £5,185

Assets subject to depreciation: office equipment £1,647 after depreciation of £917.

Liabilities: rent undercharged £525. Electricity bill awaited.

Home-Start Spelthorne is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with a constitution as governing

document. Trustees are appointed by the management committee. No remuneration has been paid

to trustees. The trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and

noted that any family in Spelthorne with a child under five is eligible to receive support from the

scheme.

Total number of referrals received 71

66

16

Home-Visiting

Support

Occasional

Support

18

5

1511

22Ashford

Shepperton

Staines

Stanwell

Sunbury

Annual Statistics 2018 - 2019

Total number of Referrals received – 71

Distribution of referrals How we supported families

within the Borough of Spelthorne

32 from Health

8 from Children

Centres

6 from Education

1 from Early

support team

2 North East

Family Support

12 were

self

referrals

1 other

5 from

Children

Services

4 from

Early Help

41% of families

were

isolated

82

families

170 Children

Number of

families

30

43% of families

had low

self-esteem

33% Needed help

with day to

day running of

the home

34%

were

struggling

managing their

children’s

behaviour

40% were coping

with mental

health

issues

Number of

families

29

Number of

families

28

Number of

families

24

Number of

families

23

We supported

Supporting Families

We tailor our support to each family and their specific needs, and we work with the whole family, providing a

package of support, comprised of emotional and practical support, activities with children and help to access

services. This year we supported 82 families, 170 children through home-visiting & occasional support. We also

offered families in Spelthorne, Fun days, Children’s Parties, Easter Hampers/Eggs and Christmas presents.

(Our thanks go to the Rotary Club of Shepperton & Sunbury, the Staines Society of Model Engineers, Ashford

Rotary, Eagle Radio and Alison Benjamin).

It was vital support when There is nothing I would change

we needed it most as a family. about this amazing service.

Knowing that I would have someone coming every week to help me

with my child made me look forward to my days.

Having a volunteer enabled me to get household chores or food shops done which was

a lifeline for me.

I had a new friend, somebody to talk to.

Home-Start really helped me and my family, from having someone to talk to and helping me

gain my confidence back. I can’t thank you all enough for what you have done for us!

Home-Start was fantastic for my family. Life was made easier, it was lovely having some adult

company, my children adored our volunteer. Thank you so much, it’s been a great experience.

Being a mum to two small children and heavily pregnant with no family support around me, it is tough. The couple of hours a week from my volunteer is

incredible, its made a huge difference to my wellbeing and also for my children.

It has lessened my anxiety when travelling with kids. I felt supported and not alone. It gave me whole new outlook on my situation and gave me coping strategies. It made my family’s life better, more

enjoyable and able to do outdoor activities.

The extra bit of help each week stopped us, as a family, feeling overwhelmed by the pressure we felt. Thank you.

It has been an honour to support families over the years and I have always felt a sense of

fulfilment from the work. I truly believe in the value of what Home-Start does and wish you continued success in the community.

I enjoyed my time as a volunteer and remain in touch with two of my families.

The understanding that I had acquired from Home-Start about post-natal depression

helped me support my own daughter.

The preparation course was enjoyable and informative, and I was impressed by how committed

both Home-Start volunteers and staff were.

I felt well supported and supervision was conducted in a professional manner and was very

helpful.

I was proud to be a member of the team and took every opportunity to promote

Home-Start. Excellent support.

My time with Home-Start made me feel humble and thankful for the life I have. It

has raised my awareness of the diverse family dynamics which exist.

The support from staff was invaluable and could be accessed any time. Very

approachable and easy to talk to.

Quotes from Volunteers on leaving

Friends and supporters

Surrey County Council Children’s Services

Spelthorne Borough Council

North West Surrey CCG

BBC Children in Need

St Nicholas Church Parish Charity Shepperton

Staines Society of Model Engineers

Co-op local community Fund Ashford Beth Scott

Rotary Club of Shepperton & Sunbury Kevin Bulfin

Rotary Club of Ashford Liz Jones

Rotary Club of Staines Steve Crookes

Kathy Kavanagh

Di Lewis

David Groves

Tracy Hould

Wendy Webb

Gareth Williams

Sue Scott

St Michael’s Roman Catholic Primary School Margaret Seager

Hughmark Markets (Kempton Park) Pauline Newman

1st Sunbury Rainbows Sue Lanigan

The Entertainer Staines Anne Bulfin

Runnymede & Spelthorne Mencap Society Anne Damerell

County Cllr. T Evans Sharon Koven

County Cllr. Islam Chris Fairhurst

County Cllr. Mooney Barbara Giles

Cllr Capes Diyanne Harding

Virginia Pale-Parsons Isobel Parr

St Mary Magdalene Church Susie Evans

Sunbury Neighbours Stewart Salmon

1st Sunbury Guides Amanda Harding

Squires Garden Centre Barbara Oakham

UFit Sue & Mick Price

Josh Frith Hilary Ryan

Eagle Radio C Bedwell

Staines St Mary’s Lodge Jean Rogers

Anna Cosgrove & BS9 Gill Neal

Brian & Margaret Hewes Gill Cowell

Tesco Lin Vintham

Nikki Morris

Carmel Hewitt

Christianah Ngozi

Sue Scott

Gill Neal

Friedl Hardman

Mrs K Friday

Thank you to all our volunteers who donated their expenses Alison Benjamin

Home-Start UK, all our referrers Sam Ford

Thanks to all our guest speakers who gave their time freely Brian Bulfin

and supported our preparation and training of our volunteers and

to the many people who have given us their support this year

How you can help Home-Start Spelthorne

By becoming a Home-visiting volunteer

By joining our Management Committee

By joining our Friends of Home-Start Spelthorne

By making a donation

By helping to organise a fundraising event

By encouraging your Business/Company/School to nominate

Home-Start as their Charity of the year

Home-Start Spelthorne

The Resource Centre

Staines Park

Commercial Road

Staines upon Thames

Middlesex

TW18 2QW

Telephone No. 01784 463200

E-mail: info@home-startspelthorne.org

Website: www.home-startspelthorne.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/homestartspelthorne

Twitter: www.twitter.com/@HomestartSpel

Reg. Charity No. 1160026