ME
STIRT
North Somerset
Aqafringa DifferenceforFamiliesand Children
Annual Report
202112022
Tris year Home-start North Somerset has supwrted 86 families
with children through Home-visiting and Mums in Mind
Groups.
We have recruited and trained 8 new volunteers bringing the
total to 1+0 active volunteers.
Offic• Suite 3. L￿k1￿ Road BwS1￿5S ParK 110 Locking Road. Weston-siwr-mare, BS23 3HF
Td 07rii 179007
hr•me
Www.hOn￿-Startn0rthSlxner5et.0rg.uk
I |Pagc

Board of Trustees
Dali Sidebottom
Nicky Day
Chadeswright
Sheila French
Jane Sleigh
Chair of Trustees
Trustee, inlerim treasurerfrom January 22
Trustee
Trustee
Volunteer Representative
Jane Wells
Rebecca Cresswell
Trustee {Rebred November 2021)
Trustee (Retired September 2021)
Christopher Bird
Andrew Robb
Jade Terry
Treasurer (Retired January 2022)
Trustee {Retired February 2022)
Trustee (Retired Ju ne 2022)
Staff Team
Julie Parsons
Sally Downey
Karen Whitaker
Catriona Henderson
Helen Howes
Senior Organiser
Co ordinator
Co Ofdinator
Fundraising and ma￿eting OffI￿r
Administrator
Volunteers
Andrea
Alex
Andrew R
Annette
Annie.
Ann
Barbara
Belinda
Carol
Debra
Diane
Eleanor
Emma
Fran
Karen L
Karen M
Kate E
Kate J
Katiina
Kaye
Lindsay
Marian
Nicola
Patsy
Petra
Sarah L
Sueo
SueR
Val
Helen
Holly
Jackie
Jane
Janet
Jem
Jennie
Julianne
21Page

Home-start North Somerset
Hom&Start North Somerset is a voluntary organisation that supports families who are
experiencing difficutties and have at least one thild underlhe age of five. We recruit and train
volunleers who support families within their own home offering non-judgemental. confid￿1.￿
suppor( friendship and practical assistance specifically tailored to the family's needs.
Mission Statement
Childhood makesa hugeimpact. We aim to make Sufe thoseyears countso that a Child'sfU￿
Is notlimited and families can thrive.
Ou r vision is to be the leading independentfamily support charity in North Somerset. We aim to
be a partner of choice for families and organisations, known for our reliable. responsive and
respected qua1ltysem￿. Through familiesandvolunteersworkingtogether. we aim to improve
outcomes for all.
Respectful
We welcome and respect each olherfs views and are confidential in the way we worl( togeth er
and wilh others.
Supportive
We believe in supporting and developing everyone involved in ourchaTity.
Inclusive
We value collaboration with partners and aim to work in an open and non-iudgemental way,
listening to feedback from those we work with.
Independent
We are trueto ourwsion andmake pro-active deosionsthatare inthe best interestof ourtharity.
Ambitious
We strive for Su￿sS and are enthusiastic to develop and sustain an excellent service.
Responsible
We are clear on our roles and take all responsibilities seriously making sure we question and
challenge in orderto make carefully considered decisions atan appropriate level.
Trustworthy
We are honest and (2n be trusted to rneet ourcommilments ethically and responsibly.
Effective
We aim to work effectivel
and efficienu
makin
careful use of all our resources.
31PagL

Home-start North Somerset
We 2re a local charity and have been working exclusively in North Sotnerset for 17 year5 to
provide practical and emotional support to families withyoung children who are
8xperiencing difficulties.we are registered with the Charitycommission and Companies House.
We are quality assured by Home-start UK.
Our ambition is to :.
Devebp a range of ￿v￿e$ from wh￿h faMil￿S can cfrK￿e
Secure resources to maintain or increase the number of families supported
increase support groups
We aim to :.
supportfamilieslhroughoutthewhobof North Sorner5el, offering SUPPOTLfriendthip and
practical assistance
visit families in theirown homes. wherethe dignity and identity of each individual can L
respected and protected
reassure parentsthat difficulties in bringing upchilthen are notunusual and èncourwing
enjoyment in family life
develop a relationshipwith thefamilyinwhich timecan be shared and understanding can
be developed: Ihe approach is flexible to take account of different needs
en cou rage the parents, strengths and emotional well-being forthe ultimate benefitof their
own children
encourage families to widen their netsvotk of relationships and lo use effectively the
support and seNces available within the community.
We offer free, confidential supporL friendship and prackn'cal help to parents, with at least cffie
child under5 in North Somersel. Families are welcome to approach usthemselves or with thar
Gonsent may be referred by a professional such as a healtt) visitor who is known to them.
We recnjit and train home-visib'ng volunteers, who all have parenting experience and match
them carefullywith a familywho has requested or been referred forsupport. Each volu nteerlhen
regularly visits a family in their own home. offering emotional and practical support thr(xJgh
difficulltimes for as long as it is needed. This friendly parent40-parent support is a simple yet
effeclive way of enabling fatnilies to get back on track and start to really enjoy family life agan
as the following quotes demonstrat8.
41Pagc

Home-start Home-wisiting Family Quotes
"All my life. I hove struggled to occept help from anyone. My volunteer was amazing, making
everything look noturol and she always hod a positive ottitude which I followed so easy"
"Thonkyou to eoch and everyoneofyou for working so hard to be able to support fan7ilies in
need. I do not have enough words formy volunteer as she did an amazing job. We all appreciate
her so much".
"Just a mother type figure that listened. Don't have the same support in my own family".
"My volunteer's support and sympothy olways kept megoing through some of the hardest
times of mylife. She olways found o woy to help me see the positive ond kept me going. My
volunteer and I would often hove o lough over thephone which reolly helped me see the
positives ond move forward-.
'My volunteer was also very colm. collerted kind and very *unny.
We got onso well as we hoda lotin common"
'Nice to have someone to tolk to - she was reassuring. l am going out more with the children,:
"Having someone friendly to talk to that makes situations seem different
from a differentpoint of view..
.1 made o supportive ond volued friend with my volunteer..
"My volunteer was alwoys so understanding of onything I discussed with her. I never felt judged
or like she would be disoppointed in me. She really helped me to rationolise my thoughts and
put my feelings into perspective. She olso helped me to understand thot I've b￿n through a lot
and it's ok to feel the way I do".
.1 goined back myself-esteem and started to be more relaxed. l understood it 15 Ok not to feel ok
and seek help..
"My volunteer has been o perfert motch to me ond my fomily"
51 Page

Home-start Mums in Mind Family Quotes
"I've met a very lovely friend und know that I'm not alone. I couldn't face being with other
mums who were really loving life so this group really helped."
"It wa5 nice to hove other people who understood what I was going through as well.
somewhere to tolk about it and all not feel oshamed or anything. Group just mode me feel more
normal and I don't feel a5 much anymore thot I don't Wlsh I didn't have o baby..
"When I got my diagnosis I felt like I wos stuck in it. Now I know that it'5 not olways going to be a
bod day and in time I felt lighter. I didn't realise what I was experiencing was intrusive thoughts.
I feel like every should come to this group.
"I learnt from group thot there are othermums like me that worryabout things and thot I don't
hove to be perfect."
"I think it's chollenged my attitude and changed the woy I think obout things. This is how it is
and it's only as good as you can make it. When you said that there are otherpeople out there
with portners but it doesn't nece550rily meon they hove support. I felt more positive about
being a single mum.
"Seeing what other mums ore doing ond getting tips from them helps. She [baby] benefited
from being orotjnd other bobies too and it helped me relax which helped her relax."
61Page

Baby Massage, Babyyoga and Toddleryoga Quotes
How the group has helped my babylchild
Creating a colm bedtime routine
My child socialising with otherbobies ond children
Introduced new activities for boby
Given ideos for boby massage ot home
Baby sleeping very well after clu55
New ways of interocting with my child
Singing with mychild
Learnt new baby massage techniques
Leorn woys to relax my baby
Helped my baby's constipotion, wind and tumnlypain
What would you like to say about our groups
We would love to continue and have loved comingl Thankyou Mell
Keep group like this going it hos helped so much
Amazing class
Love the fart it s free- so helpful of finonciol circumstances
Good way to meet new people
Great - Love the atmosphereff
Thonkyou forhoving us. We really enjoyed coming
Would really recommend Mel s Closs. Lots of funl
very lonely and struggling, helped mossively. Made friends, felt better
Class worksl
Love the voriety.
More sessions pleose
Don't chonge o thing with this class. Thankyou so much.
Helped me to interoct with ffty baby better
The teacher is lovely - More sessions pleose
The class has been really enjoyable
The sessions are fab
We hove really enjoyed the classes
Mel hos been fob and o greatsupport
71 Pdgc

Chair's Re
ort
April 2021- March 2022
The consequences ofthe Covid Pandemicwere still being felt in tem￿ of retuming to business
as usual. Faceto face contactwith familieswasresumed initiallyoulofdoors andlhen in families,
homes. A Ihorough risk assessmentwas conducted priorto volunteers and families meeting.
First Mums in Mind of the yearcontinued as a Zoom and then moved io Face to Face.
Referrals were slowto pickup so an online referral system was introduced along with improving
data collection on activity and progress.
Our base moved to smaller premises in the same building and was used for meetings but staff
contin ued towork from home forsorrE of Iheirb'me. Search for more appropriate accommodati(
continuad.
Home visiting still formed the core of ourWO￿ butwe conb'nued to explore and develop dIffe￿t
ways of engaging with families. Telephone support continued to complement face-to-face
contact and we introduced brand new Baby Yoga, Baby Massage and Toddleryoga groups.
We held an onlinetelephone befriendercourse in March andApril and 4 more volunteerswere
trained. Thiswas followed in the summer by a preparation CA)urse forthosetrained in teleth(￿e
supportto become home-visiting volunteers.
We Continu￿ to get regular feedback from families and volunteers through reviews and
supervision. In addikn'on to this our volunteer representative conducted a survey which was
generallyvery positive. It came upwith sorne ideas forconsideration such as mre opportunit'es
for volunteersto meet each otherto exchange ideas and experienceswh ile still protecling family
confidentiality.
We held 3 volunteersupKK)rl sessions as part of ourongoingtrdining forvolunteers on Autism,
Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse.
We appointed a new marf(eting officercatriona Hende￿on whodespiteonlyworkingoneday a
week has donea grandiob in raisinglhe profile of HSNS, promoting our services and recruiting
volunteers and trustees via a range of media including social media. updated leaflets and
website. Raising income through fundraising events remained diff icult due to Covid.
Once again through the generosity of Lottie Dale and Paul Priestley we were able to provide all
ourfamilies with Christmas parcels including gifts forthe children.
We have had a significanttumover of trijstees this year. We were very sad to say goodbye to
Janewells who has been a stslwartof Home-SLqrtNorth Somersetforover ten years and latterfy
served as vicerychairand fundraisinglead.we welcomed 2 newtrustees duringthecourse ofthe
81Pag¢

year. Andrew Robb and ChaTles Wrighl who beiween them bring a wealth of knowledge and
businessexperience to the Board. Unfortunately, Andrewwas unable to continue as a trustee
and ourtreasurer Chris Bird also resigned as well as Rebecca Cresswell and JadeTerry. So the
search for new trustees became even more importanL Many thanks to Nicky Day for stepping
up as interim treasurer.
Our Home-start nKJdel depends on three key pillars. Staff. volunteers, and finances. We ar&
fortunate to have staff, volunteersand trJstees whoare dedicated and passionate about what
wedo and go thatextrd mile to ensure supportforourfamilies continues.This is againstan ever
more challenging backdrop of diminishing resources while the need for our service is ev
greater. Partnerships with our colleagues in health, education andsocial care remain critical in
delivering a coherent offer to families across North Somerset.
l am confidentlhattogetherwe can continueto deliverlhis essentialservl￿fOraS manyfamilies
as resources allow. Thanks to everyone who helps us in this endeavour.
Dali Sidebottom

Treasurers Re
ort
April 2021 to March 2022
Despite the pandemic, l am very pleased to say the finances remain in a healthy state, despite
the lockdowns and uncertainties during the year.
We are very grateful lo our funders, North Somerset Council, North Somerset Clini(zl
Commissioning Group. the Henry Smith Charity. Quartet Community Foundation who have
conts'nued lo supporl Home-start North SomerseL
We are gratefu Ito re￿1ve donationsfrom the local Coryop, TK Maxx and Waitrose stores, as well
as regular donations from Volunteers and Friends.
Finally, a big thank you to the members of the fundraising committee who worked tirelessly to
raise the profile of HSNS and funds in spite of the restrictsons.
In th is financial year,
We applied for grants to the Lottery Fund, Quartel Garfiehl Weston
A family Fu￿1 was set up to enable the staff to purchase goods and provi(k immediale help to
families
I lookforward to a yearwhere ouroperatonswill contr'nue to develop,wilhoutreslrictsons due tr)
the pandemic
Nicky Day
The Statementof Financial activities below was approved by the board on 1 St November 2022
IOIPage

Regthred Charity 1111549
5tatemrtol￿M￿aI Adi4ryt*5Y8¥ 2022
ISORPI issued bythe charitycomftmssiontocwvty4thth￿ ExeuJD¥eConThitee's (*WoD5aSthe
Trustees of the Charltyforkeekx￿aCc0Unti￿ record5
2022
2021
2021
44.27
3￿17.31
18
Easyfundraign8
lThlwidual LbTlatiC*)S- Nth) GrftNAI
J￿tG￿lng
Organsations
Regukir Ind￿￿va GNe
Membershlp
Christmas Fundra￿re
Other
109.52
121.82
2,14755
623.(
IW.62
2.070.LX)
lim
42$491
7A6L25
Bar* Interest
OtherkncotTr
RestrittedGrart Fundr
unrestricted Stant Fundir
I[￿.{￿)
Bri#
OE*(k*nTw Cowril
P0rtistrEadTrA￿ COUMI
N(xthSowor5et cour￿71
ChlLtrèD ￿ N*d
*nry&nith
30Xm(
L((().
fxj
,(XM).
43.2(K).
Cobid 19 Sup
NatK>nal Lottery
HMRCJRSfjrart
42,082.26
Totsl b)tom
U9.WSi
6&052.19
Expendku
Direct Charity
Attmtycosts
Staffinecosrs
Volunteer Expenses
Premises Costs
aty Mèssage
Insurartes
331.85
76,265.17
297.9)
8.319.63
77,951.26
1.539.42
4.￿3.74
5,772.50
534.
85,214.55
92.270.02
Barl(Char8e5
legal & Professional
Office & Admin ExKer6es
99.24
79.(0
224.Ll)
.493.59
7,14&81
7.33J.81
8,796.$9
93.E4U
94,011.14
SurphJslDefiat
1£29.95&951
Cash & Bank Balanc￿8/F*
Totsi Futhts
46576.99
£66.458
76.535.94
£46.57&99
Funded By:
cyr￿n1 Auty*
lessCr£ditors dyewitlmnoneye
67565.37
-1107.30
48.037.Tr)
£46 576.yj
IIP4

Notes to the Accounts
Independent Examiners Reportto the Trustees of Home-stsrt I￿rth Somerset
Respective responsibilitres of Trustees arKI Examiner
The charity's trustees are resFK)nsible for the p￿paratIon of the accounts. The charity's tTUStees consider that
an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Art 2011 Ithe charities act) and that an
independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts urKler sertion 145 of the tharitTres Art
to follow the procedures laid down in the genernl Direuion
given by the Charity Commtssion lunder section 14515llbl of the
Charities Actl and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basls of Independent examiners ststement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions givet) by the Charity Commission. An
examination includes a review of the accounting records kept bythe charity and a comparison of the
accounts presented with these record5. It aLs0 includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures
in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees conceming any such matters. The
procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidènce that would be required in in audiL and consequently
no opinion is gwen a5 to whetherthe accounts P￿sent a'tnJe and fair. view and the report 15 limited to those
matters set out in the ststement below.
Independent Examlners 5tstement
In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention:
l. which gNes me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act
to prepare accounts which accord wrth the accounting records and comply with the
with the accounting requirements of the Ch3ritie% Art have not been met,. or
2. to which. in my opinion. attention sFK)uld be drawn in orderto enable 8 proper urKlerStsnding of the
accounts to be reached.
Signed=
MJIBovAes. 83 Upper Ha￿ay. Beanacre. Melksham. SN12 7QA
Date=
30/C812022