At a glance

Home-Start Wessex supported over 1,000 children and nearly 2,000 individuals this year, marking a record achievement for the charity. The organisation, which helps families facing challenges such as mental health issues and domestic abuse, expanded its services by opening a new Family Charity Shop and Community Hub in Christchurch and extending support to military families. This growth, supported by volunteers and funding, aims to improve family well-being and child development in Dorset.

547 families in crisis, transforming the lives of 1,955 local parents and children. The charity continues to break records year on year, with demand for its support increasing. This year, the charity supported over 1,000 children for the first time, thanks to a team of dedicated staff and volunteers. Since Home-Start Wessex was founded in 1995, the charity has now supported 6,000 local families and 14,680 children thanks to over 1,000 volunteers.

Home-Start Wessex volunteers offer friendship, practical support and advice to families who are facing difficulties, including poor mental health, depression, disability, domestic abuse, bereavement, isolation and multiple births. The reach covers the Purbecks, Swanage, Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport, the whole of the BCP Council area, including Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, across the borders of Hampshire and Wiltshire, going as far north as Cranborne and Fordingbridge and as far east as New Milton.

“We have continued to receive an unprecedented number of referrals for our support this year,” commented Kathy Fryatt-Banks, CEO. “Through resilience, dedication and determination, support has been provided to a new record number of families, including supporting over 1,000 children for the first time ever. Considerable thanks go to all our staff, volunteers and trustees for enabling us to make this happen.”

In a pivotal year, the charity opened its first specialist Family Charity Shop, Community Hub and e-commerce centre in Christchurch, Dorset in February 2026. This first step into retail involved an incredible amount of work to transform disused premises into a new outlet, which the charity’s Patron, local children’s author Sarah Lean, officially opened. “We are delighted to say that we have been inundated with donations from members of the public and are confident that this will help to bring in essential funds, as well as helping the environment, supporting more families and increasing our profile,” added Kathy.

Over the past 12 months, the charity has won several awards in Dorchester, Bridport, Weymouth, Wimborne, Poole, Bournemouth, West Dorset and BCP for services to the community and as the ‘Best Place to Work’. During an extremely turbulent time for charities, Home-Start Wessex has not only survived, but further developed and diversified, expanding the charity in innovative ways. Through times of huge strain on capacity and resources, they have worked together as a team, empowering and inspiring each other to keep going.

Thanks to funding through the Armed Forces Covenant, Home-Start Wessex has recently been able to extend its support to military families. Kirstein Harrison, their new Military Projects Intervention Worker, has been a military spouse for 10 years and understands the unique challenges that military families face. The charity has opened its first Dandelions Specialist Family Group at Bovington Camp, bringing military and civilian families together, providing a safe, judgement-free space for children to play and develop, and helping parents feel connected and access relevant support. Participants have already commented on how valuable it is to have a space where they can meet others, build relationships, and feel more connected to their community

The charity has also been awarded further funding from Dorset Council to keep six groups across the Purbecks, East and West Dorset running as part of the Families First Pathfinder Programme. Further work is planned to enhance these services, especially to support families with high-level needs and where there is child poverty. This work also links to the Best Start in Life local plan goal to increase the percentage of children in Dorset who will achieve a good level of development and be “reception ready”.

Support from the business community is crucial, and the charity is incredibly grateful to Holt Recruitment, Dorset Tea, Tesco, Rotary, Saffery and Harkwells.

Feedback from parents shows that the charity continues to transform lives. 96% of parents reported improved parenting skills, 98% of parents reported improved self-management, 96% of families reported improved children’s well-being and 97% of parents reported improved well-being.

Kirsty Shatwell, a Home-Start volunteer who received support from the charity herself, said, “I started volunteering at Home-Start over 7 years ago and have loved it ever since. I am extremely passionate about this charity mainly because of its simplicity. Who knew that, for some families, just a listening ear and occasional practical help with appointments could make such a difference? I was lucky enough to have Home-Start support when my 3 were babies, and it really did make a real difference. I was struggling, and that guaranteed 3 hours every week was an absolute lifesaver. I can honestly say I get a lot more out of volunteering than I deserve, using only 3 hours of my time a week and coming away with a ‘Home-Start Glow’!”

The charity is actively recruiting kind, compassionate volunteers to offer emotional and practical support to parents with young children across Dorset. If you could spare a few hours a week to help local families through challenging times and make a difference in your community, please contact volunteering@homestartwessex.org.uk. No experience is needed - just a big heart and a listening ear, as full training and ongoing support are provided.

Editorial insight

Home-Start Wessex’s latest figures highlight a sustained rise in demand for family support services across Dorset and surrounding areas, reflecting ongoing pressures on local families. The charity’s expansion into new areas of support, including services for military families and a move into retail fundraising, signals practical responses to both community needs and sector-wide funding challenges faced by many voluntary organisations.

As the cost of living and access to public services remain acute issues for many households, the role of charities like Home-Start Wessex has become increasingly significant at a local level. The charity’s ability to maintain and grow its services, while recruiting volunteers and securing new funding streams, will be closely watched by others in the sector navigating similar operational and financial pressures.

Story ideas and journalist angles

Economic impact

Impact of Military Support Initiatives in Dorset

Home-Start Wessex's new initiatives for military families, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant, provide valuable community integration and support, with potential economic benefits for the region.

Target audience regional publications and military-focused media Story potential 7/10 Local/community

Increasing Demand for Family Support in Wessex

Home-Start Wessex has supported over 1,000 children and nearly 2,000 individuals in a record-breaking year, highlighting the increasing demand for family crisis support in the region.

Target audience local newspapers and community magazines in Dorset and Wessex Story potential 8/10