Supporting Families, Strengthening Futures: Critical financial wellbeing support for young families across Hampshire.

Home-Start Hampshire operates across eight local authority areas, including some of the most deprived communities in the UK, such as Havant, Rushmoor, and Gosport. Neighbourhoods in Gosport and Havant have been identified as ‘left behind communities’ by Local Trust, ranking in the bottom 10% nationally for both the Community Needs Index and the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD 2019).

In these areas, 80% of the families we support are grappling with the ongoing effects of the cost-of-living crisis. Across the county, many families are living in temporary accommodation, priced out of the private rental market. These financial pressures are not just economic—they deeply affect parental mental health, family relationships, and children’s long-term life chances.

Our experiences in the early years of life and our family circumstances - like financial and social disadvantage, insecure or inadequate housing, family relationships, parental mental health, and parenting behaviours - dictate our futures. The early years can influence everything from how well we do at school, to how we form relationships and even how long we live.

We know children need to live in nurturing home environments, where they can build up supportive emotional bonds and connections with their parents and others. But sadly, life and circumstance can get in the way, and when it does the impact can be tragic and far reaching. Because of poverty, illness, bereavement, and isolation, lots of children across Hampshire are unsafe, unstable, and unhappy.

We believe that every child deserves the chance to thrive and that the single best thing we can do to give every child the best possible childhood is to improve the support for parents.

Supporting families in their homes 

Our trained volunteers, many of whom are parents themselves, are carefully matched with families and visit them weekly. They provide tailored emotional and practical support, helping parents:

• Open and address unopened bills
• Create and manage realistic household budgets
• Access food banks and essential supplies
• Navigate housing instability and apply for support
• Connect with debt management and financial advice services

These small, compassionate actions have a profound impact. As one parent shared:

“Home-Start Hampshire has made a positive difference to my life. I finally see a way forward, and I will be eternally grateful.”

For families in temporary accommodation, our volunteers help manage the logistics of frequent moves, signpost to housing services, and provide emotional support during a time of immense upheaval.

Our volunteers work alongside families to prioritise their needs and agree on a focus for their journey towards a better family life, enhanced parenting, and thriving, happy children. They improve the financial and emotional wellbeing of family members by listening and giving time to both children and caregivers.

Supporting families in the community

We run six family support groups across Hampshire, led by experienced staff and supported by trained volunteers. These groups:

• Reduce isolation and build peer support networks
• Offer practical sessions on budgeting and managing household finances
• Help families connect with local services and resources
• Provide a safe, welcoming space for parents and children

Parents often share how these groups give them structure, confidence, and a sense of belonging:

“We really enjoy coming to the group. It gives us a routine… I don’t know what I’d do without it, especially on the hard days.”

Our Impact on Financial Wellbeing

Our support helps families build the skills and confidence to manage their finances and improve their overall wellbeing. We see measurable progress in areas such as:

• Household budgeting and debt management
• Accessing financial and housing support services
• Improved mental health and emotional resilience
• Stronger family routines and relationships
• Increased community connection and resource use

Each family we support co-creates a personalised action plan, reviewed regularly to track progress. On average, families show improvement in 5.6 outcome areas (out of ten), with many reporting increased confidence in managing their finances and planning for the future.

Together, We Can Change More Children’s Futures

Demand for our services is growing. With your support, we can reach more families and give more children the chance to thrive.

• £1,300 provides a family with 6–9 months of one-to-one home visiting support
• £285 supports a family through a 12-week group programme
• £50 will help with training and supervision for volunteers working with families
• £25 will contribute towards travel expenses for a volunteer to visit a family in their own home
• £14 will cover the cost of a DBS check for a new volunteer
• £5 will provide refreshments and a healthy snack at a family support group

By supporting Home-Start Hampshire, you’re not just helping a family today, you’re investing in a stronger, more financially resilient community for tomorrow.