Bournemouth, Dorchester, Poole, Swanage, Weymouth | Posted on February 4th, 2025 | return to news
Homeless families supported by Home-Start Wessex
Home-Start Wessex raised £10,295.18 in The Big Give. It will use the funding to help homeless families across the region.

A charity which is supporting young homeless families in Dorset has more than reached its fundraising target of £10,000.
In fact, Home-Start Wessex raised £10,295.18 in The Big Give, the UK’s biggest match-funding campaign. Any donations made via The Big Give website are doubled through match-funding from government bodies, philanthropists, charitable foundations or corporations.
Kathy Fryatt-Banks, CEO of Home-Start Wessex, said, “This was the first year Home-Start Wessex had taken part in The Big Give, and we were blown away by the support we received. It was a huge ask to reach the £10,000 fundraising target when we know many families are struggling to support themselves, let alone other families.”
Funding was needed to keep their weekly support group for homeless families open. Home-Start Wessex offers friendship, practical support and emotional advice to parents in Dorset with at least one child under five when they are in crisis. Alongside running specialist support groups, one-to-one home support, and school readiness workshops, the charity runs two weekly support groups in temporary hostels, which house mainly single mothers aged 18–25 and their children.
“Every family at the shelter is struggling to cope with not having a stable home for their child,” Kathy said. “As well as being homeless, they are also managing complex issues such as mental health difficulties, post-natal depression, domestic violence, poverty and loneliness. Our staff help these vulnerable young women build the resilience they need to cope with their challenges, find joy again with their children through fun activities and access essentials like food, milk and nappies. They empower them to be the best parents they can be and give their children the best start in life.
“Thanks to everyone who pledged, we can continue to provide life-changing support for young parents like these and create joyful moments for those who need it most.”
Over the last year, the charity has transformed 1,682 lives, helping a record 501 families. Their reach covers the Purbecks, Swanage, Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport, the whole of the BCP Council area, including Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, and across the borders of Hampshire and Wiltshire, going as far north as Cranborne and Fordingbridge and as far east as New Milton – a huge area with a population of over 650,000, including many pockets of high-level deprivation.
If you can commit to two to three hours each week to help as a family support volunteer, please contact heidi@homestartwessex.org.uk.
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