REGISTERED CQMPANY NUMBER: 05468592 (England and Walès) REGISTEREO CHARITY NUMBER: 1110632 R8 ort of the Trustees and Unaudlted Flnanclal Statgments ort Ended 31 Marc for Hom8-Start Cotswolds Ltd. Monahans OakSey Hov88 Tetbury Road Cirencester Glos GL7 IUS Home.Start Cotswolds Ltd. Contents of tho Financial Stalements or the Y&ar Ended 31 March 2026 Page Report of tho TruÉta8s Indepondont Examiner's R•ptsrt StateM8nt of Finanelal Activltlo$ Balance Sheet Notes to the Flnanclal Statem¢nt8 6 10 12 Detailed Stat8ment of Plnanelal A¢tlvltlos HoMe￿tart Cotswolds Ltd ort of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2026 The Iruslees who are a150 directors of the oharily for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial slalemenls of the charity for the year ended 31 Klarch 2026. The Iru81ees hav6 adopted the provisions ol Accounting and Reporting by Charities-. Slalernenl of Recommended Practice applicable to ¢harilie5 preparing their aGCOUnts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102118ffe¢live 1 January 20191. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing docuwn8nt The chririly is contro118d by its governing dtscument, a deed of trust, and ¢onslilules a limited company, limitod by guaran1o9, as defined by the Companies Act 2006 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Règistered Company nuinber 05468592 IEngland and Wale51 R8gisterod Charlty numb8r 1110632 Registored offlGe Cirenceslcr Baptist Church Chesterton Lane Ciren¢ester Glouceslershire GL7 1YE Tru5tee5 IsCNFord Mr A R Jones Mr S D Kaulmann Mrs C L McLoughlin lappoinled 12.6.251 Mrs C M Partridgo Mr D A J Pointet Mrs P J Seager lappoinled 12.6.251 Mr R G L Waller Mrs F G Peake (appointed 12.6.251 Iresign&d 12.5.261 Company Secretary Nlrs P J 5edgei Independent Examiner Helen Jones rvlonahans Oakl8y House Telbury Road Clren¢e51er Glos GL7 1US Approved by ordgr of the board of tru51ees o and signed on its behalf by.. P J Seager- Trustee Page 1 Inde endent Examlnefs Re ort to the Truste95 Of Home-start Cotswolds Ltd. Indepondont examiner's report to the trustees of Home-start Cotswolds Ltd. {'the Company'l I report lo the charity Iruslees on my txaminali()n ol thg accounts of thp Company for the year ended 31 March 2026. Responsibilities and basls of report As Ilie ch2rily's trustees ol the Company land also Ils directors for the purposes ol company lawl YOLI Ère rospnn£iblc lor the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 I'the 2006 Act'l. 14av,ng salislicd myself that the accoLJnlb of the Conipaiiy are not required lo be audited under Part 16 01 the 2006 Act and arL eligible for independent examin8lion, I report in respe-t ol my examination of your charity's accounts as carriéd out Lindgr Section 145 01 the Charities Act 2011 I'the 2011 Act'l. In c.arrying oijl my examination I have lollowvd the Directiorls 9iveii by th* Charity Commissioi) under Section 14Jl61 Ibl of th 2011 Act. Indepeiident examiner's statemènt I have complelgd rny exaniin31ion. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connccliDlI Ivlth the examination giving me caLise to believe.. accounting records were not kopl in respect ol the Company as required by Seclitsn 386 of Ihc 2006 AGI", oi the arcouiit8 do not accord with those records.. or the ?¢¢ount8 do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act olh8r thsn ans1 iequirernent Ihal tho accounts give a true and lair view which is not a matter considered as Part of an indepond.Trnl ex3minalion', or tho ar.tounts h8vp not been prepared in accordance with thè methods and principl8s of Ihg Sldlement ol Reconimendcd Practice for accounting and reporting by chariliet lapplieable to charities preparing their accounls in accordance with the Fiiids is ￿eaSured Bt the faif value of the goods unless this is impractical lo measure reliably. in whirh case the value is dgiived from the cost lo the donor or the eslirTiatod resale value. Donaled facilities and servicas arè recx)gnisgd in the accounts when received if the value CL?n be reliobly measured. No amounts are includEd for the contributinn ol geneial volunteers. income fioni contracts for the SLJpply of seThices is recc>gnised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classifiod as unrestricted funds unless there is a conlraclual roquirement for it to bo spent on a particular purpose and rcturned il un￿penI, in which case il fflay be regarded as reslricled. Expenditure Expenditure is recoonised on an accruals basis as a liability is illCLJrred. Expenditure includes any VAT whicl) ca￿￿01 b8 fulli recovered, and is ¢lassifled under headings Df the slalement of financial activities lo which il relates.. expendilurc on raising fund.% includes the Cobts of all fundraising activities. events, non-charitable trading activitie5, arid the sale ol donated goods. expenditure on ch.drilablè activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in Undertak￿ng activities that funher its ch?r rilable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those suppvrt r.0￿15 and costs rplaling lo the governance ol the charity apportioned to charitable activities. other expendilure includes all expenditure that is neither related lo raising funds for the charity nor part ol ils oxpcnditure on charitable activities. All costs are allocdtcd to 9xpendilure categories reflecting the use ol the resource. DireGI costs atiriDUtable to a 51ngle actlvity are alloLalgd direclly lo thal 2Ctivily. Shaied costs are apportioned be￿veen the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and congislenl b2sIs, Tanglble flxed assèts Oepracialion Is provided al th& following annual rates in order lo writè off each 2s8el over It5 estimated useful Iifg. Plant and machinery Computer equipment 330/0 on reducing balance 250/D on slraighl line basis Tangiblè asgets are initially racordsd at cost. subsequently stated al cost less any accumulated depreciation and imiiairmènl losses. Any tangible assets c2rrièd al revalued amounts are racordÈd al the lair value at the cale of revaluallon less any sub5equgnl accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairnienl losses. Page 6 continugd... Home-start CoÉswolds Ltd. Notes to Ihe Financial Statements continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2026 ACCOUNTING POLICIES . continued Tangible fixed assets An increase in the oarrying amount of an a5sel as a re5uII of a reVaI￿allOn, is recogni5ed in other recogiiised gains aiid losses, unle55 11 reveise5 a chaige for irnpaiimenl th81 has previously been rccognised as expendiluro within the slalemenl ol financial activities. A decrease in thg Cdrrying amount DI an asset as a resLJII of rovaluation. is reeognised iii other re¢ognis¢d gains and losse.%, except lo which il ollsels any previ?us revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other reco9nised gains and 1o55e5 on the slatemeTrl of financial activities. Taxation The ch8rily is exempl from corpDralion lax on ils charitable aclivilies. Fund accounting Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the dis¢relion of the tru51ees. ReblriclL,d funds Cdn only be used lor particular reslricled purposes wilhin the objerls ol the charily. Reslrictions arise when specified by Ilie donor or whgn funds are raised for parlicular restricléd purposes. FurlliLir explanation ol the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial 51a18ments. Pension costs and other post-retlrement benefits The charitable company operates 2 defiiied contribution pension srheme. Contributions paiyable to th8 charitabl6 company's pension schemo ar& chargod lo the Statement of Financlal Activities In the period to whiLh they relate. DofinÈd contribution plans ConlribuliDnS lo defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which Ihe relc)ted service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead lo a reduction in fulure payinei)ts or a cash refund. When contrihutions are not expcctod lo be settled wholly within 12 months ol the end of the reporting dalo in which the employeos render the ialated sarvice, the liability 15 Moasured on a discnunled present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an axpensg In the pvriod in whiLh it arises. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES 2026 2025 Trusts and fundgrs Donations Fundraising events Gifl aid Exception81 ltsms 138,386 18,957 3,354 1,497 375 135,140 9,081 612 1,125 162.569 14.fj.958 Page 7 continued... Home4tart Cotswolds Ltd. Notes lo the Financial Statemènts continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2026 INVESTMENT INCOME 2026 2025 Investment Income 1,649 1,687 CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS Support costs Charitable expenditure 146,744 OTHER 2026 2025 Slafl exper)ses VolLJnleor expense? Homo start anfJ olhor fe$s Bank lees Family support General expenses Support costs 3,000 1,462 2.249 42 130 2,980 146,744 3,757 2,495 2,250 92 650 2,695 133,311 156,607 145,250 NET INCOMEIIEXPENDITUREI Net incomellexpenditurel Is stated alter chargingllcredilingl.. 2026 2025 Depreciation owned assets Deficit on disposal of fixed a5sel Independent examiner's lee 966 78 690 708 648 TRUSTEES. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There w8re no truslees, reniuneration or other benefit5 toi the year ended 31 March 2026 nor lor the yèar ended 31 March 2025. Trusteès, expense5 There were no trustees, expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2026 nor for the year ended 31 March 2025. Page 8 continued... Homg.St rt Cotswolds Lt Note5 to the Financlal Statements - contlnued for the Year Ended 31 March 2026 STAFF COSTS 2026 2025 Wages and salaries Social security Losls Ollier pension CDSts 122,714 2,266 4,524 112,729 10 3,962 129,504 116,710 The average head counl ol ewployee5 during the year was 9 12025.. 81. The averag8 number of full-time equivalent employees during the ¥ie¢ir Is dnalysed as follows. The average monthly number of employ6es during the year was as follows.. 2026 2025 Averagc number of full tim¢ eTmployaes No employee Teceived employee benefits of more th3n £60,000 during thL year12025'. Nill, COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unrestrictpd fund Restricted fund Total funds INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donalions and lo9acies 144,833 1,125 145.958 Investment income 1.687 1,687 Total 146,520 1,125 147,64J EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Charitable expenditure 133,311 133,311 Other 11,939 11,939 Total 145,250 145,250 NET INCOME 1,270 1,125 2,395 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total lunrts brought forward 75.104 2.500 71.604 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 76,374 3.625 79,999 Page g continued. ome-start Cotswolds Ltd. Notes to the Flnancial Statements - contlnuod for the Year Endgd 31 March 2026 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Plant and machinery Computer equlpmenl Totals COST Al 1 April 2025 Additions Disposals 891 4,148 1.188 18621 5,039 1.188 11.753} (8911 At 31 March 2026 4,474 4,474 DEPRECIATION At 1 April 2025 Charge for year Eliminated on disposal 813 2.758 966 {8621 3,571 g66 11,6751 18131 Al 31 March 2026 2,862 2,862 NET BOOK VALUE Al 31 MarGh 2026 1.612 1,612 At 31 Marcli 2025 78 1,390 1,468 DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2026 2025 Prepayments and accrued income 231 231 12. CREDITORS.. AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2026 2025 Trade creditors Social secijrity and other taxes Other creditors Accruals and deferrod income 1,444 1,112 952 1,197 1,447 461 867 1,103 4.705 2,878 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Nel movoment in funds Al 31.3.26 At 1.4.25 Unrestricted funds General fund 76,374 11,236 87,610 Restricted funds Restricted Fund 3,625 13,6251 TOTAL FUNDS 79.999 7,611 87,610 Page 10 continued... HOm￿start Cotswolds Ltd. Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2026 13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - contlnued Nel mo>vemont in funds, included in th& above are as follows,. Incoming resour￿8 Resource5 8xp8nded Movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund 163.843 1152,6071 11,236 Restrieted funds Reslricled Fund 375 14,0001 13,6251 TOTAL FUNDS 164,218 1156,6071 7,611 Comparatlv&s for movement in funds Nel movement in funds At 31.3.25 Al 1.4.24 Unrestricted funds General fund 75,104 1,270 76.374 Restrlcted fund5 Reslricled Fund 2,500 1.125 3,625 TOTAL FUNDS 77,604 2.395 79,999 Comparative net rnovemenl in funds, included in the above are as follows.. Incoming resources Resources expended Movement In funds Unrestricted funds General fund 146,520 1145,2501 1.270 Rostrlcled funds Re51ricled Fund 1,125 1,125 TOTAL FUNDS 147.645 {145.2501 2,395 Page 11 continued. Home-slart Cotswolds Ltd. Notos to the FlnanGlal Statèmè ts - continued for the Yo r Ended 31 March 2026 13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- continued A ¢urrent year 12 months and prior year 12 months conibinod position is as follows.. Nel movement in funds Al 31.3.26 At 1.4.24 Unr&strict8d fund5 Gcner?r I fijnd 75,104 12,506 87,610 Restricted funds Restricted Fund 2,500 12,5001 TOTAL FUNDS 77,604 10,006 87,610 A currenl year 12 months and prior year 12 m(Jnths wmbined net fnovement in funds. included In Ihe above are as fDIIows'. Incomlng rèsources Resources expended Movement in funds Unrestrlcted funds General fund 310,363 1297,8571 12,506 Restrlcted funds Reslricled Furid 1,500 14,0001 12,5001 TOTAL FUNDS 311,863 1301,8 Jf71 10,006 The restricted funds consist of funding from the The Whilg Slulf, relating to "Maternal Mental Health Support Groups" .Ind Groundwork UK funding (Tesco Token schemgl relating lo "Home-slart c01s￿v01dS Family Party A¢tivity Theso funds were fLJlly spent in the year. 14. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATION5 The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £4,52412025.. £3,962). RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES There were no related paty Iransaclion5 for the yeai ended 31 March 2026. Page 12 Home-start Cotswolds Ltd. Detailed Statement of Financial Actlvltles or the Year Ended 31 Mar¢h 2026 2026 2025 INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legaries Trusts and funders Donations Fundraising events Gift aid Exceptional items 138,386 18,957 3.354 1.497 375 135,140 9,081 612 1,125 162,569 145,958 Investment Income Investment Income 1,649 1.687 Total Incoming rosourc8s 164,218 147,645 EXPENDITURE Oth8r Staff Qxpenscs Volunteer expenses Home start and other fees Bank fees Family support General expenses 3,000 1,462 2,249 42 130 2,980 3,757 2,495 2.250 92 650 2,695 9.863 11,939 Support costs Management Wages Social sccurity Pen510nS Rates and water Insurance Teleplione Pn51age and stationery Advertisin9 Sundries Group work Depreciation ol tangible and heritage assets Loss on sale of tangible fixed assets 122.714 2,266 4,524 250 1.180 908 136 548 3,104 6.049 112,729 3,962 245 1,145 1,391 237 845 9,633 965 78 708 142.722 130,914 Governance costs Acrounlancy and legal fees 4,022 2,397 Total resources expended 156,607 145,250 Net Income 7.611 2,395 This page does not form part of the slatulory financial slalements Page 13 ## **Annual Report April 2025-March 2026** **HOME-START COTSWOLDS c/o Cirencester Baptist Church Chesterton Lane Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 1YE 01285 885391 office@home-start-cotswolds.org.uk www.home-start-cotswolds.org.uk** Company Number: 5468592 Charity Number: 1110632 ## **MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR** Having completed my first year as Chair of Trustees for Home-Start Cotswolds I am pleased to submit the 2025/26 Annual Report which presents a clear picture of all the activities and events of our past year. What an exciting year to be Chair as the charity reached its 20th birthday. Celebrations included our biggest ever family party in the summer holidays and an evening drinks reception in October with over 100 supporters, volunteers and staff who came together to mark the occasion. We were delighted that our founding trustee Kim Brown came and spoke about how her dream of a Home-Start in the Cotswolds became a reality. People attended who had been involved with Home-Start from across the years, including two volunteers who trained on our very first course in 2006. It was evident that everyone there was proud to be connected to such an incredible charity which has grown from strength to strength over the past 20 years. None of this could have happened without the generosity of our many funders, some of whom donate year after year, and the wonderful community of Home-Start supporters who give their time and energy to make sure families do not feel alone in their struggles. As we enter our 21st year, we have a complete staff team, 44 trained volunteers and a committed board of trustees. We are also in the fortunate position to be facing the future with relative financial stability. We remain committed to our founding principles, that the first five years of a child’s life are crucial to their future and with the right support every family can thrive. Thank you all for your continued commitment to our support of families throughout the Cotswolds. Richard Waller Chair of Trustees Roz Savage, MP for South Cotswolds came to visit on our official birthday in July 2025 **2** ## **WHAT WE DO** For 20 years, Home-Start Cotswolds has been a trusted source of family support across the Cotswolds. Since our founding, we have consistently provided non-judgemental, compassionate and practical help to families during those precious and sometimes challenging early years of family life. At the heart of everything we do is our home visiting programme aimed at local families with children aged under five. Our trained volunteers visit families in their own homes, offering weekly support, tailored to each family's individual needs. Being welcomed into the heart of family life allows our volunteers to build genuine, trusting relationships; and it’s this connection that makes our model so powerful. It is tried, tested, and proven to make a real difference. Alongside home visiting, we run free postnatal (Baby & Me) and maternal mental health (Reconnect) groups across the more rural towns of the Cotswolds. These groups provide a vital lifeline for parents who might otherwise feel isolated, bringing them together in a safe and welcoming space to share experiences, build friendships, and access support. Home-Start Cotswolds is one of approximately **175** Home-Start schemes operating across the UK, all united by the same belief, that a strong start in life begins at home, with a caring and supportive family around you. In 2025, we were proud and delighted to celebrate our 20th anniversary, a milestone that reflects the dedication of our incredible community of volunteers, the generosity of our supporters and the resilience of the families we have had the privilege of working alongside. Twenty years of knocks on doors, cups of tea, shared smiles, and quiet moments of reassurance, we hope making the Cotswolds a kinder and more connected place for families. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Andoversford
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Birdlip **----- Start of picture text -----**
Fairford
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Frampton Mansell **----- Start of picture text -----**
Leighterton
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Home-Start Cotswolds covers the geographical area of the Cotswold District Council. represents the locations of our Groups **3** ## **STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION** ## **MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE** **Richard Waller** - Chair of Trustees (elected as Chair June 2025) **Pippa Seager** - Company Secretary (elected June 2025, Secretary from January 2026) **Steve Kaufmann** - Treasurer **Tony Jones** - Trustee (stepped down as Company Secretary December 2025) **Carolyn Ford** - Trustee **David Pointet** - Trustee **Carla Partridge -** Trustee (stepped down as Chair June 2025) **Claire Holmes -** Trustee (elected June 2025) **Felicity Peake** - Trustee (elected June 2025) Home-Start Cotswolds is guided by a dedicated team of Trustees who form our Management Committee, each giving their time and expertise entirely on a voluntary basis. Drawing from a wide range of professional backgrounds, our Trustees bring a rich mix of skills and experience to the role. Together, they are responsible for the governance, financial oversight, and strategic direction of the charity, meeting regularly throughout the year to ensure the organisation remains on a strong and effective footing. Supporting the work of the full committee are two sub-committees - Finance, and Profile & Fundraising, each of which meets separately and reports back to the Management Committee with their findings and recommendations. In 2025 Members were consulted and they approved new and updated Articles of Association that have been accepted by Companies House and the Charity Commission. In line with Home-Start policy, Trustees are elected to serve a 3-year term, with a maximum tenure of 12 years. In line with this, at our AGM in June 2026, Tony Jones and Carolyn Ford will both be stepping down as Trustees. Tony was a founder of the charity and held the role of Company Secretary until December 2025. Carolyn has also been a long standing member, organising many successful fundraising events. We are **Inswe** extremly grateful for their enduring commitment and dedication to Home-Start Cotswolds over the many years they have been involved. _As a trustee of Home-Start Cotswolds, I love having the opportunity to support the organisation behind the scenes so our volunteers can keep doing what they do best: offering compassionate, non‑judgemental help to ensure children have the best possible start in life_ Pippa Seager, Trustee **4** ## **STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION** ## **STAFF** **Katharine Campbell** - Service Manager **Kate Prowse** - Operations Manager **Liz Wilkinson** - Family Coordinator, North Cotswolds **Clare Baker** - Family Coordinator, South Cotswolds **Emily Boston** - Group Coordinator **Hannah Morrison** - Group Worker (acting Group Coordinator) **Janette Ashwanden** - Group Worker (joined September 2025) **Karen Roberts** - Office Coordinator **Ivan Lambert** - Administrator All our staff work part-time and their combined hours amount to the equivalent of **3.9** full-time workers (FTE). ## **STAFF CHANGES** Back row left to right: Karen Roberts, Ivan Lambert, Liz Wilkinson, Kate Prowse, Emily Boston, Janette Ashwanden, Hannah Morrison. Front Row: Katharine Campbell, Clare Baker We have had some changes to our staff team over the course of the year. In April 2025, Ivan extended his hours as Administrator after Sally, our part time administrator, retired at the end of March 2025. Although still part-time, Ivan now works his hours over 5 days to provide consistent office support to our staff team. Emily went on maternity leave in September and Hannah stepped up into the Group Coordinator role, increasing her hours to cover our Reconnect groups. Janette was recruited as Group Worker in September 2025, working 8 hours a week to run some of our Baby & Me sessions. Janette joined us as a home visiting volunteer in January 2024 and it’s been great to have her join the staff team, bringing a wealth of knowledge both from her previous work experience and volunteering roles. Hannah, Emily & Janette We hold a full staff meeting every 8 weeks, allowing staff to discuss, share and keep up to date across all of our work streams. A member of the Management Committee also attends the meeting, helping trustees to have a better understanding of our day to day work and keeping the communication lines open between staff and trustees. ## **QUALITY ASSURANCE FROM HOME-START UK** The Home-Start Quality Assurance programme (HSQA) is a set of bespoke standards set out by Home-Start UK. We are pleased to have been awarded multiple Quality Assurance badges during the year. The badges recognise our commitment to meeting high standards and demonstrate that we are meeting Home-Start requirements. **5** ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** ## **FAMILIES** This year, Home-Start Cotswolds has supported **136** families through our home visiting and group work. We offer a range of support to families, including: **HOME VISITING: 65** families were supported through weekly visits to the family in their home. **45** were referred this year. These families received **9** months support (on average). **BABY & ME Postnatal Groups: 59** families attended our eight week groups for parents and their babies aged up to 6 months. **RECONNECT Perinatal Mental Health Groups: 12** families attended our ten week mental health support groups. **- Home Visiting Families at the time of referral:** **12% had a family member with a disability** Cotswold District Area **17% were a young parent aged under 25 32% were a lone parent 14% had unsuitable housing 1% had a care experienced parent 28% had a child with an ECHP, Myplan+ or Myplan 5% experienced domestic abuse** **Families attending our Groups include:** **37 from the North Cotswolds and 24 from the South Cotswolds** **69 babies aged under one, 1 unborn baby & 13 over one year olds** **3 young parents Top reasons families come to our Groups:** **Baby & Me: Being involved in their children’s learning and development, isolation and confidence** **Reconnect: Mental Health, isolation and confidence** **6** ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** ## **REFERRALS & SIGNPOSTING** We work in close partnership with our referrers & signposters keeping them up to date with our new groups and our volunteer availability. This year **27** different professionals referred to us from various services, as indicated below. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Group Referrals
Home Visiting Referrals
20% from Health Professionals, 80% Self Referrals
Early Help
Self-Referral 7% Other Where Self-referral's heard about the
17%
2% groups:
Other
4.7% Social Media
16.3%
Local Magazine
Other Health 2.3%
12% Health Visitors Friend30.2% Local Noticeboard
31% 4.7%
Have a HS Volunteer
4.7%
Other Charities
5%
Attended a group before
7%
Social Services Internal
10% 2%
Mental Health Team Health Professional
14% 30.2%
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## **HOME VISITING** **65** families received support from a home visiting volunteer this year. This included **124** children (100 aged under 5). The circumstances for each family we work with are different and we aim to tailor the support to their needs. To this end, our home visiting families complete a self assessment form at their initial visit with their Family Coordinator. They record how they feel about issues such as their mental health, isolation, parenting skills and finances. The family is then carefully matched with a volunteer who visits for up to three hours weekly, establishing a relationship built on trust and support. This form is completed again at our Coordinator review visits in order to build a picture of the family’s needs over the time of support. Support needs as identified by parents themselves at their initial visit: **----- Start of picture text -----**
68% 62% 46% 32% 26%
Isolation Confidence Household Financial Issues Confidence as
& Self Esteem Management a parent
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**7** ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** The families report a consistent improvement over time. The difference our volunteers make is especially evident when we look at the families whose low score improves in a particular area of need after 6-9 months of volunteer support. |||| |---|---|---| |Area of Need|Number of families with a low
score at the start of support|Number of families with a low score
at the end of 6-9 months of support| |**Physical Health**|**10**|**0**| |**Mental Health**|**11**|**0**| |**Isolation**|**15**|**0**| |**Confidence and Self Esteem**|**20**|**0**| |**Relationship Stress**|**13**|**0**| |**Financial Issues**|**12**|**0**| |**Household Management**|**6**|**1**| We collect feedback from families at their reviews about how much they appreciate their volunteer and the difference their support is making. _My volunteer has massively helped our family. She's made a huge difference and made me get out. She has listened to me and helped me loads with my child’s eating, as I was so nervous about weaning her. My volunteer gave me the confidence I needed and my child now eats everything and has a great appetite. When I think back to how I was a year ago, I'm in a much better place now._ ## **GROUP WORK** **71** families attended one of our groups this year. **We delivered 7 Baby & Me groups and 2 Reconnect groups** . They were held in **5** venues across the Cotswolds (Moreton-in-Marsh, Bourtonon-the-Water, Fairford, Lechlade and Tetbury). In order to measure the impact of our group work, parents fill in a feedback form at the last session of their group. This form uses an adapted version of our home visiting assessment. Mum receiving home visiting support **8** ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** ## **BABY & ME** Our Baby & Me groups cater specifically to new parents with babies aged 0-6 months. Over our comprehensive 8-week programme we cover many essential topics including child development, interactive play, nutrition and introducing solids, first aid, baby massage techniques, healthy sleep habits, and maternal pelvic health. _[I enjoyed] the kind and welcoming environment, the time taken to validate my needs and feelings. I am unexpectedly going through a separation and the calm and supportive atmosphere I have felt has greatly increased my faith in myself as a suddenly single parent._ **----- Start of picture text -----**
7
Baby & Me
groups, running
for 8 weeks
each
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**----- Start of picture text -----**
96%
felt more involved
in their child’s
development
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**----- Start of picture text -----**
100%
met other parents
and made new
friends at the group
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## **RECONNECT** Our Reconnect Group supports mums experiencing mental health challenges. Our Creche Worker, supported by some of our volunteers, provides childcare to ensure mums can fully engage in the session. The group covers topics including parental identity, self-awareness development, nutritional wellness, evidence-based mindfulness and relaxation techniques. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Parenting Ability &
Parent Wellbeing Child Wellbeing
Confidence
Average Score (out of 6) Average Score (out of 6)
Average Score(out of 6) 3
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_Reconnect definitely helped me finding myself and my identity again, I feel more like a person than a shell._ **9** ## **VOLUNTEER UPDATE** The backbone of everything we do at Home-Start Cotswolds is our amazing team of volunteers. This year we welcomed **8** newly trained volunteers to the team, bringing our total to **44** dedicated individuals who choose, week after week, to give their time and energy to support families during their most challenging moments. The scale of that generosity is striking, **60** hours of support each week, either reaching families through home visits, supporting our groups, or helping in our crèche that we have recently launched. What draws people to volunteer with us so often comes down to lived experience. All our volunteers are parents themselves and they know from their own lives just how relentless and isolating parenthood can be. They are motivated by the wish that someone had extended that same kindness to them. This personal insight is one of our greatest strengths, it means we can carefully pair each volunteer with a family, whose circumstances they are best placed to understand, laying the groundwork for a genuine bond built on trust. _I love the ethos of Home-Start and I want to give back to the community. I have also had experience myself in needing help as a mother and not having people to turn to._ Trainee volunteer 2026 The families we work with are frequently dealing with situations of real complexity; domestic abuse, mental health struggles, financial hardship, yet often what helps most is an uncomplicated approach. A familiar face arriving at the door each week, a shared cup of tea, a conversation where someone finally feels heard - these moments carry enormous weight for people who may have very little other support around them. Practically speaking, our volunteers also roll up their sleeves in countless other ways; navigating appointments, helping parents to make phone calls that may feel impossible alone, playing with children and helping sort or declutter the home environment. Whatever the challenge, our volunteers show up offering care and a helping hand. It was a very friendly group of volunteers and trainers and an informative of course - I feel privileged to be part of a group that is helping out in the community. Trainee Volunteer 2026 Each year we welcome new volunteers to train with us, but we also have some who have been with us for many years. Since we were founded, we have recruited and trained over 300 volunteers. The longevity of so many of our volunteers is testament to their dedication and committment to supporting local families. Millie, one of our volunteers, receiving a hamper for 15 years service, put together by trustees and staff as recognition of her dedication. New Volunteers at their training in March 2026 **10** ## **VOLUNTEER UPDATE** ## **TRAINING & SUPPORT** Every volunteer who joins us is carefully recruited, going through a safer recruitment process followed by a dedicated 40 hour training programme over 8 weeks before they step through a family's door. We equip each volunteer with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to provide genuinely meaningful support. But our commitment to our volunteers doesn't stop there. Once they are matched with a family, every volunteer receives regular one-to-one supervision alongside continued professional development opportunities, ensuring they feel consistently supported, valued and equipped to handle whatever situation they encounter whilst supporting a family. Throughout the year we have made it a priority to bring our volunteers together. We try to create regular opportunities for peer support in a relaxed, informal atmosphere, the kind of catchup where experiences and wisdom are exchanged, and almost always over a well-earned cup of coffee and a piece of cake! Alongside these peer-to-peer support meetings, we have delivered a range of more structured training sessions covering relevant topics. This year that included First Aid, a session on Hoarding Disorders, along with our annual mandatory Safeguarding training which is compulsory for all volunteers and staff. The trainer engaged with us all very well, explained everything clearly and gave good practical demonstrations. The time flew by, as we covered so much! Volunteer attending first aid training June 2025 As 2025 drew to a close, we were delighted to gather our volunteers together for a Christmas lunch, a chance to pause, celebrate, and express our gratitude for everything our volunteers do to support families. We are proud of the community that has grown around Home-Start Cotswolds, and we hope each and every volunteer understands the profound difference they make to the lives of families right on their doorstep. Their dedication and commitment mean the world to us, and to the families they support. It’s great when we can get together like this to celebrate all they have achieved. **11** ## **EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES** ## **EVENTS** In May 2025 we held our popular hike, starting at Old Gore Barn, walking through Calmsden and the surrounding area. We had an amazing day in the sunshine with well over 100 walkers, many of whom stayed for a fabulous lunch. This is one of our main fundraisers and we were delighted to raise over £3000. Our sincere thanks go to Yard Space for providing such a wonderful setting and delicious lunch for our walkers at Old Gore Barn, along with Calmsden Farms for a beautiful walk across their land. We also held a raffle and were touched by the generous prizes donated by so many local retailers. Our annual family party is a real highlight of each year and in the summer of 2025 we celebrated our 20th birthday with our largest ever party with 144 adults and children joining in the fun. We had a great morning with some amazing games, bubbles, felting crafts, soft-play and homemade treats. We also enjoyed sharing our special birthday cake whilst singing happy birthday to Home-Start in the sunshine! Continuing to mark our 20th anniversary and to thank all our supporters from over the years, we held a celebratory event at the Corinium Museum in October 2025. We were joined by around 100 guests, including previous and current volunteers, staff and supporters. A particular highlight was a speech by Kim Brown, one of the founders of our charity who explained how her passion for supporting young families had led to the formation of HomeStart Cotswolds back in 2005. The event was kindly sponsored by Tanners Solicitors, thanks to their generosity we had a brilliant evening celebrating all that we’ve achieved as a charity over the years. One of our strengths is the amazing community support we receive locally, and this year has been no exception. There are too many to mention but some wonderful examples include: - Home-made blankets and quilts from The Linus Project and Kemble & Ewen Craft Group Multiple fundraising events from the team at The Bear Inn, Cirencester - A golf day organised by Guy Montezumo at DGH Vallejee Foundation - Donations from Cirencester Tesco of highchairs & travel cots, along with food and - drinks for our family summer party - Christmas gifts and donations from North Cotswolds Community Awareness group, - The Salvation Army and food parcels from the Round Table in South Cotswolds - The Wild Oven organised a brilliant fundraiser over Christmas, a spectacular Land Rover Defender Convoy through the North Cotswolds These acts of generosity and kindness make a huge difference to our work. **12** **FUNDING** ## **GRANTS** **John Armitage Charitable Trust Peter Lang Children’s Trust The National Lottery (as part of H-S Glos Consortium) Tesco Stronger Starts National Benevolent Charity The Albert Hunt Trust Minnis Trust Daniel Bingham Trust Gloucestershire Masonic Charity Action NHS Clinical Commissioning Gloucestershire Family Hub CHEQs Charitable Trust** **INCOME: £164,218 EXPENDITURE: £156,607** ## **DONATIONS** ## **Thank You!** **To everyone who has supported us during the year** **The Bear Inn, Cirencester The Cirencester Inner Wheel Club Tanners Solicitors LLP The Wild Oven Soroptimists (Cirencester) Bibury PCC Nora and Leslie Prince Charitable Trust St Margaret’s Church, Bagendon All Saints’ Church, Kemble DGH Vallejee Foundation** We would like to take this opportunity to thank Cirencester Baptist Church for once again providing us with such wonderful office space, as well as additional rooms for meetings and training throughout the year. We annually review the risks to our organisation and our systems to manage and mitigate those risks. We have at least 4 months expenditure in reserve. **13** ## **LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026 /27** I hope this report has left you with a good insight into the extensive work that Home-Start achieves week after week in the Cotswolds area. Our thanks go to all who have contributed to this as we are looking forward to another productive year ahead and really do appreciate your ongoing support. As mentioned within the report, at our AGM in June, two of our very longstanding trustees, Tony Jones and Carolyn Ford, are stepping down. Tony was one of the founding members and trustees in 2005 and has served as Company Secretary throughout the last 21 years, a remarkable achievement and commitment. Carolyn has served as a trustee almost as long and importantly has chaired our Profile and Fundraising subcommittee. Many of you reading this will have enjoyed our Home-Start Cotswolds fundraising hikes, which have been successfully organised by Carolyn and her husband Nicholas. I am pleased that Carolyn has agreed to be an advisor to the board for the foreseeable future. A huge thank you to Tony and Carolyn, who will both be greatly missed as trustees. We have a new Company Secretary, Pippa Seager, who joined the board of trustees in 2025 as did Claire McLoughlin who comes with a wealth of safeguarding knowledge and experience. We are in the process of recruiting a number of new trustees to provide guidance and leadership to our charity in the coming years. The Management Committee have recently set our Strategic Plan for the next three years. Whilst much of the plan is about continuing the brilliant work already undertaken by our volunteers and staff, we have also responded to a recognised need in our rural communities for more postnatal groups. In 2026/27 we will be increasing our delivery of Baby & Me groups in the South and North Cotswolds and exploring the possibility of introducing new groups in some targeted locations. Alongside this, we would like to look into the provision of antenatal groups and services in our community and respond to any emerging need. We look forward to another year working alongside our many partners to support families when they need it most. Richard Waller Chair of Trustees For and on behalf of the Trustees, May 2026 ## **Office address** : Home-Start Cotswolds, c/o Cirencester Baptist Church, Chesterton Lane, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1YE **Registered Office** : As above **Bank** : Lloyds, PO Box 1000, Andover, BX1 1LT **Accounts** : Independently examined by Monahans, Oakley House, Tetbury Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1US Home-Start Cotswolds is a Registered Charity (since July 2005) and a Company limited by guarantee. **Company Registration number:** 5468592 **Charity Registration number:** 1110632 As an independent charity we work under the umbrella of Home-Start UK. **14**