Home-Start and the art of professional friendship

Who can your turn to if you have a family issue or are facing over-whelming domestic challenges? Tara Spence is CEO Home-Start in Suffolk, a county-wide charity that supports families in all forms of need, in and around Suffolk. In this chat with Colin, she explains how her community network of trained volunteers provide friendship and expert support, helping families with children through the most challenging times. Tara tells us about how the 270+ volunteers are matched with families, depending on best fit both ways. She speaks about the importance of early intervention and how the charity is able to support over 700 families per year; and often those with multiple or complex needs. The challenges of the pandemic have of course been massive and Tara also talks about Home-Start’s efforts to help break the isolation felt by many new parents. Photo credit: Big Fish Photography