Home-Start Southport & Formby
Sefton
July - December 2024
Project Information
This project aims to improve home conditions and provide comprehensive support for vulnerable families in north Sefton. Home-Start, with 23 years of experience in the area, understands the crucial link between a stable home environment and children's well-being. Recognising that challenges such as mental health issues, disability, hoarding tendencies, poor routines, and feeling overwhelmed can negatively impact family dynamics and create unhealthy living spaces, the project seeks to address these through several key initiatives. These include a volunteer support programme, where trained volunteers offer practical assistance and encouragement to families in maintaining a clean and organised home, promoting a healthier environment for children to thrive.
Furthermore, the project will offer childcare support, allowing parents three hours a week to focus on tasks like laundry, cleaning, and meal preparation, while volunteers engage children in play activities. Mental health support will also be integrated, working alongside existing services and Home-Start's counselling service to help families develop strategies for decluttering and maintaining a safe space.
Finally, the project will provide essential materials and resources, such as cleaning supplies and storage containers, and assist with tip runs, removing financial barriers and facilitating the improvement process. Being a parent-led organisation, with many staff and trustees having started as volunteers or supported parents, Home-Start is uniquely placed to understand and address the needs of these families, particularly given that 90% of referrals cite mental health as a contributing factor to difficulties in managing their homes. This trusted service offers invaluable support that no other organisation in the community can provide.
About One Vision Housing (OVH)
We are an award-winning housing provider offering high quality, affordable housing across the Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester. We currently manage over 14,400 properties across the region.
We provide a range of rental options from Social Housing and Private Rent, to Rent to Buy and commercial lettings of shops, creating equal opportunities for all. We were formed in October 2006, following a successful stock transfer from Sefton Council, and operate as a not-for-profit organisation, regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing.
As a member of The Sovini Group, One Vision Housing believes in providing good quality, affordable homes for rent and to buy, helping to create thriving and inclusive communities. We work closely with partner organisations to build a better future for our customers, supporting thousands of beneficiaries each year.
Externally recognised as a leading provider of homes and services, One Vision Housing is graded G1 for Governance and V1 for Viability by the Regulator of Social Housing.
Our Approach
OVH's Community Development Fund is available for voluntary and community groups who want to deliver projects or services that benefit customers in our communities. The fund has been established to enable community and voluntary organisations to contribute to our vision for a better future. A total of £15,000 is available in the form of grants to voluntary/community groups.
The fund seeks to encourage Community Projects that contribute to the following five key themes: Vulnerable persons, support for local veterans, health & wellbeing, improved community safety, and community environmental initiatives.
Outcomes
Thanks to funding from One Vision Housing's Community Development Fund, the Home-Start project has already made a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable families in north Sefton. The funding enabled the recruitment and training of volunteer home support workers, providing crucial practical assistance with cleaning, decluttering, and organising. Families have reported feeling less stressed and more in control of their home environments, leading to improved mental wellbeing and stronger family dynamics. The provision of essential cleaning supplies and support with waste disposal, made possible by the fund, has further eased the burden on families, enabling them to create healthier and safer spaces for their children. The project has demonstrated the positive impact of community investment in supporting families and fostering thriving communities.
Around 70 families benefitted from this project, generating £413,400* in social value according to the HACT Social Value Calculator.
Feedback from a service user at Home-Start Southport & Formby:
Last year we lost everything due to damp and mould, eating away at our belongings. The impact of this on the children’s health, being admitted to hospital with breathing problems and endless coughs and colds. My children had to be separated while myself and the younger ones went into a hostel, but to try to make light of the situation we were in, I pretended to the children we were on holiday as we were housed on the sea front in Southport. Fast forward a couple of months and we have the keys to a new house. The happiness of having my children back, all together, under one roof is a feeling I will never take for granted again! However, we had to start over – from scratch. Home-Start helped me with some second-hand furniture, paint and paint brushes, storage units, cleaning materials and even food vouchers when we had no money. They would come and look after the children while I got to make my house a home! Honestly if it wasn’t for Home-Start and all the help they have given me and my children, I’d still be trying to rebuild my life. I cannot put into words just how grateful I am for everything they have done.
Karen Cooke, Manager for Home-Start Southport & Formby, said:
Your grant has made a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable families. The impact goes beyond just organising homes – its has created a foundation for healthier, happier living environments where children can thrive. These families will continue to be supported by Home-Start, and we will continue this work through our volunteer’s home visits, reach more families and provide the practical support they need.
Nicola Day, Customer Experience Manager for One Vision Housing, said:
One Vision Housing is delighted to have supported Home-Start's important work through our Community Development Fund. We're committed to investing in projects that make a real difference to the lives of our residents, and this project clearly demonstrates the positive impact of community-based support. It's been a privilege to partner with Home-Start and see first-hand how this funding is helping local families create better homes and brighter futures.
*Social value figures subject to verification by HACT.
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