2. Home-Start is one of the UK’s leading family support organisations and is now working in 15 other countries www.home-start.org.uk www.home-start-int.org Who We Are

3. loneliness and isolation family breakdown post natal depression poverty ill health inc HIV/AIDS and disability domestic violence multiple births mobility/refugees The Need

4. Where do the referrals come from? Health Visitor 50% Social Worker 15% Self 20% Other Health Referrals 5% Other 10% UK approximate figures

5. Volunteers offer: friendship emotional support practical help...to families in their own homes Schemes also offer group support and refer to other agencies How We Help

6. Home-Start research findings 16 studies – mainly qualitative or not randomised/control – positive findings Recent JRF study (McAuley and Knapp) – no differences between H/S and control group

7. Responding to challenging findings Should Home-Start change its methods ? Should researchers use different tools to measure broad brush/holistic interventions? Research issues