Homebuilder’s £1,500 Boost to Home-Start Kernow: Supporting Cornwall’s Families

Generous Donation Provides Vital Help to Young Families

Home-Start Kernow, a charity dedicated to supporting young children and their families in Cornwall, has received a significant boost through a £1,500 donation from homebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter. This funding comes at a critical time, as the charity has seen increased demand for its services due to the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.

Supporting Cornwall’s Most Vulnerable Families

Home-Start Kernow offers essential services such as one-to-one home visits, peer support groups, and assistance tailored for parents of neurodiverse children. The charity’s work aims to provide parents with free and confidential support, friendship, and practical help during difficult times. Challenges faced by the families include post-natal depression, bereavement, domestic abuse, financial problems, and single parenthood.

Jo Scrimgeour, Chief Executive of Home-Start Kernow, highlighted the impact of the current climate, saying, “The need for early years support has skyrocketed, particularly since the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. This generous donation from Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter will help fund our core activities, ensuring we can continue to offer vital support to families in Cornwall.”

A Longstanding Commitment to Cornwall

Since its establishment in 2001, Home-Start Kernow has expanded significantly, now employing 16 staff members and working alongside 90 volunteers, with half of them providing home-visiting support. The charity’s reach is extensive, with over 600 children supported across Cornwall in the past year alone.

In addition to home visits, Home-Start Kernow runs 25 peer support groups across the region, giving families the opportunity to build social connections and access additional resources. The charity also manages the parent carer panel for Cornwall as part of the government’s Start for Life programme, which allows parents to provide feedback on the services they receive and contribute to improving local support.

Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter’s Role

Nicki Reid, Sales Director for Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter, expressed the company’s commitment to the local community, stating, “We are committed to giving back to the communities where we build homes, so we are proud to support Home-Start Kernow. Their work, especially with young children, has a lasting impact on the community, and we’re proud that our donation will help them continue providing crucial services.”

Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability

The charity is funded through a combination of support from trusts, contracts with Cornwall Council, and donations. However, to maintain its operations and reach even more families, Home-Start Kernow continues to seek contributions through volunteering, donations, and fundraising events. The donation from Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter will play an important role in ensuring that Home-Start Kernow can continue its vital work in the community.

For more information on how to support Home-Start Kernow, visit www.homestartkernow.org.uk. To learn more about Barratt Developments, visit www.barratthomes.co.uk.