Home-Start seeks volunteers to support military families during difficult times

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in an increase in British troops deployed to Estonia.  Many military personnel who were due to return on completion of military exercises in region are now having to remain. The Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, told the House of Commons that the people of Wiltshire and the families of the deployed troops “should be enormously proud” – but he warned that they would not know when their loved ones would be coming home again.

Home-Start North wiltshire have been supporting military families in Tidworth and Upavon for over 30 years but in recent weeks they have experienced a sudden increase in the number of enquiries and request for help.  In response to this, the charity is opening a Friendship Café for supported families at Tidworth Leisure Centre. This will run every Friday, 10am -12, from April 1 and will provide a warm, welcoming, relaxed atmosphere for Home-Start families to meet – with Home-Start staff and volunteers on hand to listen, chat and play!

Other than support through the café, the charity provides trained volunteers to offer longer term, 1-2-1, home-visiting support to young families who are struggling with isolation, anxiety, and loneliness.  These are just some of the challenges faced by families new to the military and new to Wiltshire.

Want to get involved? There are still places available to train to become a Home-Start volunteer this May/June. If this is something you are interested in, find out more by visiting the volunteer training section of this website or by calling the Home-Start office on 01672 569457 or 07864 652349. If you are a family with at least one child under five and are finding it hard to cope (for whatever reason), please get in touch.