Norfolk charity supporting young families to benefit from grant

A Norfolk charity facing financial difficulties is set to benefit from a £90,000 grant to help it continue its work to support families with young children.

Home-Start Norfolk recruits and trains volunteers, mostly parents, to provide informal, practical and confidential support within the home to families with at least one child aged 0-5. In 2021/22 it supported approximately 330 families with 145 volunteers.

The one-off grant from Norfolk County Council and NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) aims to support Home-Start Norfolk through the funding challenges which threaten its services.

Cllr John Fisher, cabinet member for Norfolk County Council's Children's Services, said: "We know Home-Start Norfolk provides really valuable services for hundreds of the youngest children in our county and their families.

"As a council we are committed to supporting families early, so needs don't escalate, and children can flourish. We know Home Start plays an important role in providing this early peer support to parents and we are pleased to be able to provide this grant, while they plan for their future."

Liz Cross, Senior Lead for Home-Start Norfolk said: "We are delighted that Norfolk County Council and the ICB have recognised the contribution Home-Start Norfolk has made in providing support to Norfolk's vulnerable children and families.

"A £90,000 grant this year will provide us with a vital lifeline and give us the foundation we need to build our long-term sustainability.

"Home-Start Norfolk are committed to working in partnership with the statutory sector in delivering their flourish pledge to give Norfolk's young children the best possible start in life."

Home-Start Norfolk helps parents have the skills, confidence and strength they need to nurture their children. In January this year, the Home-Start Norfolk Chief Executive stepped down due to funding challenges with the charity's projected income for 2023-2024 being significantly reduced as a result of Lottery grant funding and other contracted work coming to an end.

Home-Start Norfolk's activity supports our partnership prevention and early help response for families, supporting the shared ambition of organisations across the county that Norfolk is a place where all children and young people can flourish.

A total of £60,000 is being provided by Norfolk County Council, via Children's Services and Public Health grants with £30,000 from NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB. The grant will be for April 2023 to March 2024 and will be overseen by Children's Services.