Annual Report 2021/22 Supporting families in southern Oxfordshire since 1989 Because Childhood Can't Wait www.homestart-southernoxfordshire.org.uk
Standards and Methods of Practice
Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire works with families who are experiencing difficulties or very stressful situations, and who have a child/children under five years of age.
We are an independent registered charity, and work towards the increased confidence and independence of the family by:
offering support, friendship and practical assistance
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visiting families in their own homes, where the dignity and identity of each individual can be respected and protected
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reassuring parents that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual and encouraging enjoyment in family life
developing a relationship with the family in which time can be shared and understanding can be developed; the approach is flexible to take account of different needs
- encouraging the parents’ strengths and emotional wellbeing for the ultimate benefit of their own children
encouraging families to widen their network of relationships and to use effectively the support and services available within the community
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Our ear at a lance y g
56
families supported by our Home-Visiting Volunteers
83
families supported in total
248
children supported in total
37
families supported by our groups
27
181
families supported by paid worker
children under 5 years supported
67
children over 5 years supported
Where our referrals came from
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Midwives- 7
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Self Referral - 18
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Family Support Services -7 Social Worker - 7
Others: Social Prescribers- 5 Education- 5 Military- 4 Mental Health Service - 1
Community Organisations /Health - 10
Health Visitor - 31
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The Area We Cover
Referrals received by district council ward
Families supported by district council ward
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Chair's Report
I would like to begin my report by thanking Home-Start UK. Not only for the one off Covid grants, which helped to get staff set up with the equipment they needed to work from home, but also for their online help, support and guidance which was invaluable in the challenging times of Covid.
Very well done to Linda, for completing a virtual/online Home-Start Prep Course for volunteers. Another of the ways we adapted to keep our service going in times of not being able to meet face to face. We had excellent and very positive feedback from attendees.
Thank you to Jo Robb, Chair of South Oxfordshire District Council. Jo chose Home-Start SO, as one of her charities to support in her year of office. Jo arranged a lovely Story Telling event at Cornerstone Arts Theatre in Didcot. It was well attended and gave us the opportunity to attract some new volunteers.
We changed our IT provider to Blue Spires IT Support, who are based in Witney. I am pleased to say this is going well and staff have seen a marked improvement in support.
Janet McIlvennie, our wonderful member of staff for over 30 years, officially retired as Finance Assistant on 30 April 2021. Janet did however agree to stay on as our bookkeeper until we could suitably fill the role. In July we said farewell to Gill Rose our administrator. Gill took up a new post within the NHS supporting the Health Visitors based in Abingdon. We wish Gill every success in her new role.As Gill joined the NHS, we were delighted to welcome from the NHS our new Administrator Kelly Summers. Kelly’s previous position was as Team Administrator, supporting the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Team at HMP Huntercombe. Kelly brings a wealth of transferable skills and has already proved to be a valued addition to the staff team.
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Chair's Report
In my long involvement with the scheme, I have never had to consider maternity leave, for any of the staff team. That changed dramatically when first Faye told us she was expecting a baby in March. Lucia then told us in December that she was expecting a baby in June. We are delighted for them both and I am pleased to say that Mum’s and babies are doing well.
Our six-year lease with Oxfordshire County Council was up for renewal at the end of March 2022, and the council offered us a one-year lease extension. Brian Davies, the Interim Senior Property Officer assured us that there are no immediate plans for the re-development of the building. We took the opportunity to make him aware of our inclusion in previous plans and discussions with OCC, to futureproof the building. We had no option other than to accept and sign the one- year lease that was offered to us.
Our collaborative work within the Home-Start Oxfordshire consortium . continues to progress. The Oxfordshire Family Wellbeing Project our first joint lottery bid came to an end in January 2022. A further joint bid is being worked on.
On behalf of the trustees. I would like to thank Linda, the staff team and volunteers for their unwavering commitment to the work they do, in support of families in our community. When they need it most, they can and do make a difference.
Thank you to my colleagues on the Trustee Board. For their continued commitment to Home-Start SO. Their time, life skills, professionalism, and much more make a huge contribution to the effective running of the scheme! A special thank you, to Gill Bodey, our vice chair, whose attention to detail is second to none. Thank you, and goodbye to Lorraine Meadows for her time with us. Lorraine was our safeguarding trustee. Lorraine has moved out of the area, and we wish her every happiness in 6 her new home.
Doreen McNulty Chair of Trustees
Treasurer's Report
The scheme had an overall deficit of £17,428.34 in 2021/22.
A deficit had been budgeted, funded from reserves, as income from regular funders reduced significantly during the year. In particular, the funding from the Big Lottery Fund ended part way through the year and the grants from the South Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF) Berin Project both reduced.
We are pleased to report the fantastic support from:
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The Big Lottery Fund of £26,399.33, allowing us to support families in the Vale of White Horse District.
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The MOD Covenant of £24,408, allowing us to support military families;
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South Oxfordshire District Council of £10,159, as a contribution to supporting families in the South Oxfordshire District.
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BBC Children In Need of £9.702.42, for our Family Group.
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Oxfordshire Community Foundation Berin Project of £6,750 – supporting families in Berinsfield.
We have received funding from many town and parish councils, as well as grant giving trusts, organisations and individuals. We thank them all.
A special thanks to Faye, who continued to excel in fund-raising during the year.
Expenditure was well within budget, as a result of tight controls and the limited home-visiting, following Covid restrictions.
Year on-year Staff Salaries increased, as we were able to fill vacancies, and Service Charges were reduced, as an over-charging correction was made.
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Treasurer's Report
Reserves Policy
Our reserves policy is to hold sufficient reserves to cover potential liabilities if the scheme was to close, plus anticipated funding requirements for the forthcoming year, plus a general reserve of no more than 12 months of annual income.
We had reserves at the financial year end totalling £139,362.58. This is represented by three reserves:
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A designated reserve of £41,000 - to cover a Pension Trust liability of about £28,000 and potential liabilities from redundancy payments and closing down costs.
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A reserve of £51,586.82 - to meet a budgeted deficit in 2022/23, as the
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Directors/ Trustees have agreed this to ensure the level of our services can be maintained in the coming year.
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A reserve of £5,273.57 from underspends in Restricted Funds during 2021/22.
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A general, free reserve of £41,502.19. These free reserves represent 4 months
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of the budgeted expenditure for 2022/23.
Once again, we offer our sincere thanks to all the organisations, individuals and trusts that have supported us throughout the year.
We cannot thank the staff enough for their tolerance and understanding in another year in which there has been great change along with our volunteers, for their flexibility during Covid restrictions.
We are fortunate to have reserves to cover budgeted shortfalls but ongoing funding will be an increasing challenge, as we try to maintain the demands on our services whilst supporting our families.
Colin Campbell Treasurer
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Senior Organiser's Report
We started April 21 with a first for Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire. As we were still under lockdown restrictions, we held our first virtual volunteer preparation course. It was a very different way for us to work, we delivered a resource pack to each participant, and they were given a login to the online course using Podia. It was a great success and we welcomed a new cohort of volunteers to the scheme, who were willing, ready and able to work with families once restrictions started to ease.
“Podia prep course has been really well thought out, specifically the social inequality session was a real eye opener.” Quote from a volunteer who completed the online course.
We also introduced online via Zoom development sessions for volunteers. We hosted a session on Oral Health and another covering different types of Domestic Abuse.
In April, we also visited every family open to support to deliver an Easter Activity pack. These were very well received.
“We had a nice Easter, the bag was brilliant! Thank you so much! It kept us busy for a few days and such good activities in it! We loved it!!” Feedback from a family.
Also in April, we started Buggy Walks around the Ladygrove Estate in Didcot. Restrictions were starting to lift, but we were unable to meet indoors in groups. These walks proved very popular and first time parents were really happy to be able to get out and about and meet other families.
“I honestly feel like my maternity leave has been stolen from me by the pandemic but this walk felt like what a first time mummy should be doing. Thank you” Quote from a mum who attended the Buggy Walks.
We also said good-bye in April to Janet who after over 30 years with the scheme began her well-deserved retirement.
We reopened our First Babies Group in June and numbers have steadily increased.
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Senior Organiser's Report
Our volunteers started to return and give outdoor support to families. In June, we slowly began to return to home visiting.
In July, we were sorry to say good-bye to Gill Rose, our Administrator, who left us for pastures new, supporting the Health Visiting Team in Abingdon.
We were very pleased to welcome in August, Kelly as our new Administrator. She has settled in to the Team quickly and we all appreciate her calmness and organisational skills.
We also re introduced our Home-Start Parenting Group. This is invite only, for families who may struggle with attending groups, due to anxiety or other issues. This now runs on a Weds and started by meeting the families in the park and then gradually getting back to meeting indoors by September.
Over August and September, we gradually returned to working in the office.
In October, we embarked on another Volunteer Preparation Course, but this time in the office, but still using elements of the online learning. This again worked well and we welcomed a much-valued new cohort of Home Visiting Volunteers.
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Beth D Nikki P Sarah C
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“I loved the volunteer course and was very impressed at the content and the way it Carol P Pam S Saras R
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was designed and delivered. Such a good idea to get people chatting, reflecting, thinking and sharing. The knowledge and experience that the team shared was Caroline C Paulene T Sue P-J invaluable. I look forward to getting started.” Carrie P Quote from a new volunteer. Rachel L Sue R
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Senior Organiser's Report
We were very pleased to hear our grant application had been successful with the Henry Smith Foundation, who have funded us to continue to offer support to families within the Vale of White Horse for the next 3 years.
We really appreciated Councillor, Jo Robb (Leader of SODC), for choosing us as one of her charities for her year in office. She hosted a Puppet Storytelling event at Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot in November .
At Christmas we were able to deliver over 70 gift bags to the children, we were working with. We would like to thank BT, Tesco and Play2Give for their continued support and generosity.
We said good-bye to Faye (our Development Manager) in February as she left us to go on maternity leave. We were pleased to hear of the safe arrival of her son.
In March, we hosted in the office a First Aid course for volunteers. As you can see, we have had another busy year at Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire. I would like to thank the Team for all their efforts in supporting the families we work with. Our wonderful volunteers, who give up so much of their time and our Trustees who have supported and steered us through these difficult times.
Linda Cheong Senior Organiser
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Famil Case Stud y y
Rose lives with her partner Matt and their three children, Michael 3, David 2, and Susie 1.
Rose was receiving support from IPPS Service (Infant perinatal parent support) regarding her poor mental health. This support came to an end once Susie turned one.
Rose found it difficult managing three young children, especially with Michael’s challenging behaviour as he is waiting for a paediatric assessment for a suspected diagnosis of autism or ADHD. Rose was also struggling to keep on top of household chores. She was experiencing low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
Both boys have delayed speech. The pandemic has exacerbated this by Michael not being able to attend nursery or interact with other children. Susie, having been born in lockdown is understandably shy and reticent of people having been isolated and unable to attend any toddler groups.
Holly, our Home-Start volunteer was able to provide Rose with a lot of emotional support as well as practical ideas to help manage the children’s behaviour. Holly encouraged Rose to put into practice what she learned from attending a Family links parenting course. Holly’s visits to Rose also enabled Rose to spend some one-to-one time with each of her three children which had a positive impact on their relationships.
Holly’s support has been invaluable to Rose and her family. The support she received has had a positive impact on her parenting, her own mental health and self-esteem. Rose now has a part time job and attends a gym once a week. Both Michael and David now attend nursery. School arranged for Michael to have speech and language therapy to help with his speech. Rose takes Susie to a local toddler group which has helped Susie come out of her shell.
"Home-Start helped Rose to get back on track and the support has been such a benefit to the whole family"
Lydia Davison Scheme Organiser
*all family names have been changed
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Volunteer Q&A
Jane McKeown Volunteer since 2015
What made you want to volunteer for Home-Start?
I had heard fabulous things about HomeStart, I myself had both of my children in a foreign country with no family support which I found very isolating and challenging so I was hoping to be of some help to others experiencing these issues and just give a couple of hours of my time every week to hopefully lessen someone else’s load.
What is your proudest achievement as a volunteer?
Seeing how the family I supported, the Mother in particular, grew in confidence, in themselves individually and as a family unit.
Mum now smiles and even laughs readily, she makes eye contact, and has direction and goals for her future. I’m so very proud of them all and also of myself for being a small part of their journey.
What is the most difficult thing you have dealt with as a volunteer?
In the first month of working with my family I had carefully planned a visit involving a trip to a local play group which unfortunately did not go as well as I had hoped. At the time I completely over thought it and beat myself up over things not working out perfectly, but that disappointment of feeling like you are not doing enough and not being as helpful as you had hoped was tough. I now understand that just being a regular fixture, a reliable friendly face who shows up and doesn’t expect anything in return in more than enough.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing families nowadays?
The lack of infrastructure including; affordable and accessible transport links, GPs, Dentists, Pre-schools, Schools and affordable supermarkets in growing areas is a huge concern.
Also the ever increasing cost of basic living, power and the weekly shop is proving to be a huge challenge, it breaks my heart to hear the stress so many families are under.
What have you learnt from being a volunteer?
That being a regular, reliable visitor with no hidden agenda, a listening ear and a smile to greet them with is enough. You won’t be able to move mountains but your time and that you care is enough.
What is the best part of your role?
Knowing you are making a positive difference to someone's life.
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- Home Start Groups
First Babies Group
First Babies group returned to the local community centre when Covid restrictions eased in September. Prior to this we held weekly buggy walks in the local area.
We have continued to welcome an ever increasing attendance of first time parents and bumps, with a regular group of 14 parents and three sets of twins.
We provide a social community where parents can come and meet up, improving isolation in new families and reducing post-natal depression.
Our Volunteers Sandy and Helen assist on a fortnightly basis and are valuable assets to our group, warmly welcoming new parents and their babies. Our Group Facilitator and Volunteers have a great deal of experience in Perinatal, Early Year, Physical and Mental Health Education.
Parenting Group
This group is held on Wednesday mornings in the office at the Didcot Library. It is a small group for referred families who would find large groups difficult to attend due to their personal circumstances.
Thanks to our funding from BBC Children in Need, we are able to buy additional resources to encourage physical and creative activities.
The emphasis is on giving pre -school children, the best start with their literacy and language skills, supporting them to be school ready and confident to join their local community.
We assist with parenting skills and advice. We offer art activities and encourage play to increase learning opportunities. We include singing and rhyme time, participation is popular with our attendees. It’s usually a very busy session!
Jacquie Boshell Group Worker
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Famil Su ort and Communit Liaison y pp y
Our three-year Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, ‘Removing Barriers to Family Life’ is, unbelievably, in its third year! Prior to this the Trust funded us for 3 years under the heading ‘Families in Stress’.
I Over 5 years ago I became Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire’s first Family Support Worker. The aim was to be able to offer rapid response, to military personnel, and their families, within a few days of referral. Which has certainly been successful! Referrals are received from various agencies as well as some self-referrals. Support extends to families, living on or off the bases of Dalton Barracks (Abingdon), Vauxhall Barracks (Didcot), RAF Benson, and the Defence Academy of the UK (Shrivenham).
II work one-to-one, delivering support to families in their own homes. The areas of support are varied and include mental health, parenting, isolation and building self-esteem, amongst others. Currently, the majority of my support revolves around the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and the Family Links Nurturing Programme. As long as there is a child, under the age of 5, I can work with any member of the family. A large percentage of my work is with the adults of the family, which is very understandable, as when a parent/carer is experiencing difficulties this has a direct effect on the whole family.
The Community Liaison part of my role enables me to meet lots of other professionals and to promote other support Home-Start can offer, including groups and home-visiting volunteers. I attend events such as, Family Days, Meet and Greet (a fresher’s type of event meeting new families moving to military bases), Military Community Meetings and coffee mornings. In the years I have worked for Home-Start I have built relationships with a network of agencies and professionals and keep in regular contact with these.
We have made it through the Covid-19 challenge and I have, for quite some time now, resumed my face to face work!! But there have been some positives, showing us that no matter what, support can still be delivered!!
Gill Jones Family Support/Community Liaison Worker
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Hi hli hts g g
Sleigh2Give toy donation drive, where age appropriate new toys and gifts are provided for each of the children we support.
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Trustees and Staff 2021/22
Trustees:
Doreen McNulty Chair Gill Bodey Vice Chair Colin Campbell Hon. Treasurer Rosemary Knagg Barbara Guast Helen Conway Lorraine Meadows (until Oct 2021) Rob Hufton Tanya Skelton (co-opted March 2021)
Staff:
Linda Cheong Lydia Davison Lucia Prentice Gill Jones Jacquie Boshell Faye Golding-King Janet McIlvennie Gill Rose Kelly Summers
Senior Organiser Scheme Organiser Scheme Organiser Family Support/Community Liaison Worker Group Worker Development Manager Finance Administrator (until April 2021) Office Administrator (until July 2021) Office Administrator from August 2022
Independent Examiner: Sue Scane, CIPFA
Home-Start Safe uardin g g
Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults, and expects all trustees, staff, volunteers and members to share this commitment. Our policies on safeguarding children and adults are available on request.
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Funders
Parish Councils
Sutton Courtenay, Sonning Common, Berinsfield, Watchfield, Radley, Moulsford, Little Milton, Wootton, Dorchester-On-Thames, Crowmarsh, Chilton, Longworth, Steventon, Kidmore.
South Oxfordshire District Council
Revenue Grant, Additional Restrictions Grant Remobilisation Grant
Charitable Trusts
The Henry Smith charity, The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, BBC Children in Need, The Spalding Trust, Helianthus Trust, Souldern Trust, The Cumber Family Trust, PF Charitable Trust, Pears Foundation, AF Blakemore, Magic Little Grants.
Business Donors
Waitrose Wantage, TK Maxx and Homesense foundation, OCVA and Community First Oxfordshire, Co-op community Fund Oxfordshire, M&Co Didcot, Orano LTD.
Groups and Individuals
Wallingford and Didcot Rotary Club, Faringdon United Charities.
Liam Day and Brogan Hunter - Oxford half marathon.
Families and Volunteers, past and present, who donate their expenses, make donations in lieu of birthday gifts, and/or make regular donations to the scheme, often boosted by Gift Aid.
A huge thank you to each of our funders throughout the year. Your generosity has enabled vital services to continue to support vulnerable families through their toughest times.
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Quality Assurance
We are proud to be quality assured through the Home-Start Quality Assurance System – a programme of self-assessment against nationwide quality standards. The process looks at the continuous improvement of all our practice areas relating to governance, management and service delivery. At our last Quality Assurance Review in February 2018 we were categorised as ‘Demonstrating High Quality’, having met 100% of the legal, safeguarding/child protection and other mandatory performance indicators.
Public Benefit Statement
The Trustees have a duty to report on the scheme’s public benefit. They have taken into account the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in planning the year’s activities. This report demonstrates how Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire fulfils its charitable objectives which are:
'To safeguard, protect and preserve the good health, both mental and physical, of children and parents; to prevent cruelty to or maltreatment of children; to relieve sickness, poverty and need amongst children and parents; to promote the education of the public in better standards of childcare in southern Oxfordshire'.
Membership
Risk Management
Membership of Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire is open to any person interested in furthering the objectives quoted above, and approved by the trustees. Members are entitled to vote at the AGM and other general meetings. Application forms are available on request from the scheme.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the scheme is exposed, in particular those relating to finances and operations, and believe that arrangements are in place to mitigate those risks.
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Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire 197 Broadway Didcot OX11 8RU 01235 511152 admin@homestartso.org HomeStartSouthernOxfordshire @HomeStart_S_Ox
www.homestart-southernoxfordshire.org.uk
Home-Start Southern Oxfordshire is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales Number: 05443274 Registered Charity Number: 1113941
Printed by Goring Press 01491 872555 enquiries@goringpress.co.uk
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