Bumps & Babies Family Support Group
1
The Pitch
Problem statement
Our Bumps & Babies group provides support to local pregnant mothers and babies under 1. They are designed to support families who have mental, emotional, or physical health needs, peri/post-natal depression, disabilities, or other issues and are isolated from their community. Every family receives an assessment and an individual plan of support working to agreed outcomes which are regularly reviewed. They are introduced to group where they will benefit from: • 1:1 emotional support • Advice and guidance on relevant topics • Information and support around child development • Strategies to improve child and parent relationships • Access to information and local/specialist services
Solution
Group is run by a ‘Family Group Leader’ and specially trained volunteers, providing a safe and welcoming space where parents and children can meet weekly to receive emotional support, make friends, develop skills, increase confidence and self-esteem Our groups are confidential and parents can talk without judgement. A programme of therapeutic sessions is planned to meet their needs with group discussion on relevant topics and 1:1 confidential support We signpost to local community services and support parents, increasing their confidence to access these and other specialist help they might need (e.g. debt management, domestic abuse support, medical appointments, housing & benefits)
Why are we best placed to deliver?
For over 25 years our family groups have supported parents & disadvantaged children develop essential skills giving them the best start in life. We have helped over 4,500+ families, 11,500+ children and worked with 800+ volunteers Specialist staff are experienced & trained in early years/child development, teaching/learning, perinatal/child mental health & child psychology and supporting volunteers complete a 30-hour training course The Home-Start approach and our roots in communities mean that we are particularly well placed to reach and support families facing challenges - through disability, poverty, poor physical or mental health, isolation or a relationship breakdown
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Overheads/core running costs including administration support, building running cost, insurance - 10% of project total | £470 |
| Marketing and engagement cost - funding towards a social media campaign to recruit volunteers. Will also fund a member of staff to attend 4 community events to increase engagement | £500 |
| Staff cost - 6 months salary for the Group Leader to run 2 hour weekly sessions, volunteer training, peer support and supervision provided by staff | £2,800 |
| Volunteer cost - 5 x DBS checks @£12 each - £60 Volunteer travel expenses - £400 | £460 |
| Therapy/activity equipment - Including arts and crafts, toys and puzzles, educational resources, snacks and drinks for the families | £500 |
Beneficiaries
50 people
Who will benefit
Expected impact
Demand for our service increases - last year we supported a record 501 families our highest ever. We are relied on by healthcare professionals: “Home-Start are part of the fabric of the community and invaluable to us as a reliable and dynamic service to refer on to.” Health Visitor. Children have the opportunity to meet others and participate in a wide range of activities enabling them to: • Increase and improve their confidence • Improve physical and emotional resilience • Develop social and educational skills • Aid their development • Have fun and make new friends The early intervention provided enables families to address issues at the earliest stage. The positive life changes these families make will as a result help to improve the parent’s and children’s mental health, relationships and ensure the children meet their full potential. Parents supported will have increased or improved personal aspirations regarding further study or employment and some become volunteers themselves
Track record
Families attending the group have an initial assessment where specific targeted outcomes are set, agreed and monitored. Support is reviewed regularly and at the end, when we discuss with users how effective the help is and collect data to measure progress and outcomes. Outcomes of our group support are: • Improved family health and well-being – 98% • Improved parent child relationships/increased attachment – 98% • Improved self-esteem/increased confidence – 98% • Increased parenting skills – 97% • Children will have improved fine and gross motor skills – 98% • Children will have increased positive relationships with peers – 99% • Families are no longer isolated due to increased social support networks and engagement in community services/activities – 99% • Increased resilience and coping skills – 99% Family quote: ‘Attending group has given me more confidence and improved my post-natal depression. The kids have come out of their shell a lot more and are learning lots of new skills'