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We nurture We cultivate potential and confidence, encourage connection, and lasting change resilience
We empower families and volunteers to reach their full potential
About Home-Start Spelthorne
Home-Start Spelthorne is a locally managed and funded independent charity, proudly supporting families across the Borough of Spelthorne since 1996. Over the past 29 years, we’ve responded to more than 2,450 referrals from a wide range of organisations and have helped thousands of children thrive.
We’re part of the Home-Start UK network, which provides national guidance, training, and resources to ensure consistent, high-quality support for families across the country.
What We Do
Home-Start Spelthorne offers a unique, relationship-based service. We recruit and train volunteers—mainly parents themselves—to visit families at home, offering informal, friendly, and confidential support to those with at least one child under five.
Our support is tailored to each family’s individual circumstances and may include:
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Emotional and practical help
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Engaging activities with children
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Help to access local services
We work with the whole family, helping parents build confidence, strengthen bonds with their children, and connect with their community—giving every child the best possible start in life.
Our Approach
We are:
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Community-led : Rooted in local needs and priorities
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Relationship-driven : Built on trust between volunteers and families, with proven mutual benefits
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Outcome-focused : Committed to empowering both families and volunteers
Our Values
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Choice : Families are at the heart of every decision
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Partnership : We collaborate with families, colleagues, and other agencies
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Openness : We foster a culture of encouragement, honesty, and joy
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Flexibility : We adapt to meet the evolving needs of families
Our Trustees and Patron
Volunteer Representatives - Wendy Webb & Isobel Parr
Our Staff
With sincere gratitude, we thank our dedicated homevisiting volunteers for their unwavering support of families in Spelthorne throughout the year
Welcome to our new volunteers Goodbye and thank you
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It is my privilege to once again present the Chair’s Report for Home-Start Spelthorne.
The past year has been one of both challenge and achievement. Across our community, families continue to face pressures from the cost of living, strains on public services, and the everyday demands of raising children. Against this backdrop, the support offered by our dedicated staff and volunteers has never been more important.
During 2024–25, Home-Start Spelthorne provided support to 87 families and 187 children, offering practical help, emotional encouragement, and the reassurance that they are not alone. Our staff and home-visiting volunteers have shown the difference, timely compassionate support can make.
We are proud of the dedication of our volunteers, who continue to give their time, skills, and energy so generously. Their commitment lies at the heart of our work. I also want to recognise the professionalism and resilience of our staff team, who manage complex challenges with care and determination.
Financially, like many charities, we have had to navigate rising costs and increasing demand for services. Careful stewardship from our Treasurer, Vice Treasurer and Trustees has ensured that we remain, for now, stable, while our fundraising efforts and partnerships have enabled us to sustain and grow our support to Spelthorne families. We are grateful to our funders, donors, and local partners whose contributions make our work possible.
Looking ahead, we remain ambitious for Home-Start Spelthorne. We are committed to strengthening our volunteer base, extending our reach to families who need us most, and continuing to champion the value of early, community-based support. The need in our community is clear, and so too is our determination to respond.
On behalf of the Trustee Board, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has played a part in our work this year – staff, volunteers, funders, and partners. Together, you are helping to give children the best possible start in life and families the support they deserve.
Vivian Williams
Treasurer’s report
Home-Start’s financial recovery has continued, thanks to successful bids by our scheme manager and the efforts of our amazing fundraising committee. This is no guarantee for the future, of course, but we ended the year with free reserves of 7 months costs, which is a very satisfactory position. Spelthorne Borough Council remain our principal funders, and we greatly appreciate their continuing support. For the first time, Surrey County Council have not funded us at all, although they are the authority responsible for social services, but this will change in 25-26. BBC Children in Need have given us a new grant, which is much appreciated. Some support comes in kind, such as the Cadent grant to give slow cookers to families.
We were able to give our staff a well-deserved pay rise, so salary costs have risen, but other costs have been contained.
It is our pleasure to record our thanks to the many donors and friends who have contributed to this improvement. They are listed on the inside back cover. We were able to give each family a really good Christmas present again this year, to cheer up a hard winter.
Financial risks and procedures are reviewed regularly, and we have agreed an ethical fundraising policy. We have satisfied our reserves policy, which states that at least six months costs will be held in reserve to meet extra expense. The charity has no debts secured by charges on its assets, and has given no guarantees leading to potential liabilities.
Michael Price has now taken over as treasurer and Anne is enjoying a peaceful retirement.
Home-Start Spelthorne has a really first-rate team of staff and volunteers, backed by a strong management committee. Our thanks go to all of them and to our helpful auditor David Thomas.
Anne Damerell and Michael Price
Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2025
| 24-25 | 23-24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Receipts | ||
| Spelthorne BC | 40,613 | 56,370 |
| Surrey CC | 36,861 | |
| BBC Children in Need | 23,877 | |
| Heathrow comm fund | 13,765 | |
| BUPA | 7,851 | 15,500 |
| National lottery | 19,996 | |
| Shepperton Parish charity | 5,000 | |
| Cadent | 4,500 | |
| Community Foundation | 10,000 | |
| Home-Start UK | 8,000 | |
| St Faith’s | 3,125 | 3,125 |
| Clarendon Family Centre | 4,640 | |
| Donations | 10,203 | 11,398 |
| Fundraising | 23,066 | 30,468 |
| Bank interest | 2,030 | 932 |
| Total | 134,030 | 197,290 |
| Payments | ||
| Salaries | 123,884 | 112,480 |
| Rent | 3,110 | 3,302 |
| Home-Start UK fee | 3,551 | 2,209 |
| Expenses | 2,743 | 3,729 |
| Pensions | 1,951 | 1,670 |
| Stationery & post | 1,002 | 1,153 |
| Insurance | 1,135 | 1,082 |
| Training & support | 1,488 | 679 |
| Phones & IT | 2,045 | 2,555 |
| Equipment | 1,014 | |
| Family support | 1,611 | 1,793 |
| Sundries | 833 | 236 |
| Total | 144,367 | 130,888 |
| Deficit /(surplus) | 10,337 | (66,402) |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Cash funds on 31 March 25: £143,330 after decrease of £10,337. Of this £17,905 is money received in advance for 25-26 and £35K is redundancy and winding up costs, leaving £90,425 free reserves. All equipment is now fully depreciated.
Home-Start Spelthorne is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with a constitution as governing document. Trustees are appointed by the management committee. No remuneration has been paid to trustees. The trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, and noted that any family in Spelthorne with a child under five is eligible for support from the scheme.
Fundraising: we raise funds by applying for grants, holding events, and having stalls at fairs. We participate in the Christmas collections organised by local Rotary clubs. No other third parties are involved. We comply with the Code of Fundraising Practice. We are not registered with any fundraising regulation schemes. No complaints about fundraising have been received.
“The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of their commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.”
I’ve now been with Home-Start Spelthorne for 30 years, and it has been the greatest honour and privilege to walk alongside families, colleagues, and volunteers throughout this journey. From the very beginning—alongside Anne and Jenny, two of our longstanding Trustees—I’ve witnessed the lifechanging support we’ve offered to families across our community.
Looking back, I’m continually inspired by the dedication and kindness of our Trustees and home-visiting volunteers and staff. Each year, their compassion and commitment shine through—this year was no exception. Their work reflects the vital role we play in Spelthorne and the profound impact our support has on children and their families. The positive feedback we receive speaks volumes about how deeply our service is valued.
Home-Start works because our people understand just how hard parenthood can be. They offer a listening ear, friendship, and practical support—ensuring families receive help when they need it most. Research continues to show that children raised in stable, nurturing environments are more likely to thrive. At Home-Start, our volunteers—ordinary people doing extraordinary things—offer a hand of friendship and support that can change lives. By focusing on each family’s unique needs, we help them uncover their strengths and build the confidence to make lasting, positive changes.
We are incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated team at Home-Start Spelthorne—our staff, trustees, volunteers, and friends—who give so much of themselves. Whether it’s supporting parents to feel less isolated, connecting families with local services, building resilience, governing and leading the organisation, or driving our fundraising efforts, their impact is truly immeasurable. A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of them. We also extend our deepest thanks to the families who welcome us into their homes and lives, sharing their hopes, worries, and experiences with trust and openness. It is a privilege to walk alongside them. Our gratitude also goes to our colleagues and partners, whose goodwill, expertise, and shared resources continue to strengthen our work.
A particular highlight this year was our programme of events and outings, especially the Picnic in the Park, which brought families together from across the Borough. Heartfelt thanks to The Resource Centre, our friends at Bupa, Surplus to Supper, and the Staines Society of Model Engineers for helping make these occasions so memorable.
Looking ahead to 2025–2026, funding remains a concern. But our outlook is hopeful. We remain committed to growing, adapting, and standing alongside families in Spelthorne—ensuring every child has the best possible start in life. Together, we continue to build a community of care, resilience, and opportunity. Thank you for being part of it.
Mandy Groves
Feedback from Families 2024-2025
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Thank you to all our Friends, funders,
Supporters & Partners
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Shepperton Parish Charity Home-Start UK Stanwell Events Cadent Shepperton & Sunbury Rotary Surplus to Supper St Faiths Voluntary Services NS Clarendon Family Centre The Picture Palace Sunbury VSNS Sparks grant Tesco Community Grant Sunbury Michelle Rogers Ash Women’s Club Benevity Co-op Wave 105 St Michael Catholic Primary Staines Parochial Charity J Harris Hughmark Markets SPAM Carer and Toddler Attic Storage Elmsleigh Centre Runnymede Runner (Staines 10K) Sanda Connolly Forrester’s Financial Anna-Marie Goodacre Jane Murphy Tesco Community Grant Stanwell Manna Foodbank P Connolly Shepperton Allotment Ass B & O Griffin L Underwood Primark L Butcher L Burton Staines Society Model Engineers B Scott A Wetherell K Howkins P Newman J Nash X Herring W Webb V Williams I Acar K Bulfin C Fairhurst K Kavanagh S Boyd Harris & Hoole S Lanigan T Hould N Wilson V Talkington S Crookes I Parr J Sice C Bedwell C Knight L Nicholls T Ahmed G Gamble P Gray G Williams
Thank you to
Sharon Berry our Volunteer administrator, to our Friends of Home-Start Spelthorne, all our volunteers who donated their expenses, everyone who sponsored our fundraisers, members of our Gold Club and 100 Club,
Home-Start UK and all our referrers.
Thanks to all our guest speakers who gave their time freely and supported our preparation and training of our volunteers and to the many people who have given their support this year.
By becoming a Home-visiting volunteer
By joining our Management Committee
By joining our Friends of Home-Start Spelthorne fo’ ot p
By making a donation
By helping to organise a fundraising event
By encouraging your Business/Company/School to nominate Home-Start as their Charity of the year
Volunteer-with us!
Home-Start Spelthorne The Resource Centre Staines Park Commercial Road Staines upon Thames Middlesex TW18 2QJ
Telephone No. 01784 463200 E-mail: info@home-startspelthorne.org Website: www.home-startspelthorne.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/homestartspelthorne
` Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2025
| Receipts Spelthorne BC Surrey CC BBC Children in Need Heathrow comm fund BUPA National lottery Shepperton Parish charity Cadent Community Foundation Home-Start UK St Faith’s Clarendon Family Centre Donations Fundraising Bank interest Total Payments Salaries Rent Home-Start UK fee Expenses Pensions Stationery & post Insurance Training & support Phones & IT Equipment Family support Sundries Total Deficit /(surplus) |
24-25 40,613 23,877 13,765 7,851 5,000 4,500 3,125 10,203 23,066 2,030 134,030 123,884 3,110 3,551 2,743 1,951 1,002 1,135 1,488 2,045 1,014 1,611 833 144,367 10,337 |
23-24 56,370 36,861 15,500 19,996 10,000 8,000 3,125 4,640 11,398 30,468 932 |
|---|---|---|
| 197,290 112,480 3,302 2,209 3,729 1,670 1,153 1,082 679 2,555 1,793 236 |
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| 130,888 (66,402) |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Cash funds on 31 March 25: £143,330 after decrease of £10,337. Of this £17,905 is money received in advance for 25-26 and £35K is redundancy and winding up costs, leaving £90,425 free reserves. All equipment is now fully depreciated
Home-Start Spelthorne is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with a constitution as governing document. Trustees are appointed by the management committee. No remuneration has been paid to trustees. The trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, and noted that any family in Spelthorne with a child under five is eligible for support from the scheme.
Fundraising: we raise funds by applying for grants, holding events, and having stalls at fairs. We participate in the Christmas collections organised by local Rotary clubs. No other third parties are involved. We comply with the Code of Fundraising Practice. We are not registered with any fundraising regulation schemes. No complaints about fundraising have been received.
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