From our Patron As an ambassador for Home-Start Leeds, I am honoured to support an organisation that makes such a difference to families in our city. Research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) shows how early adversity can affect a child for life, something I know a great deal about, but it also shows that the care of even one supportive adult can transform outcomes. That is what Home-Start provides. Through kindness, connection and practical help, volunteers and staff give children here in Leeds the stability they need to flourish. My heartfelt thanks go to every volunteer, supporter and partner. Your dedication is changing lives every day. Richard McCann Home-Start Leeds Patron Our History Home-Start Leeds is an independent charity founded in 1987 by Margaret Scally who saw through her work a need for family support in the city. We received charitable status with the Charity Commission in July 1990. After several moves around the city we moved to our current home on Mabgate in 2018. Home-Start Leeds are affiliated to the Home-Start UK network who provide us with training, information, support and guidance — we are responsible for our own management and Funding. Our funding profile comes from a range of grants from the Lottery and Charitable Foundations; smaller contracts with NHS Health and Local Authorities; and Donations.
Home-Start Leeds works across the Leeds City Council area. Chair Report I am pleased to introduce Home-Start Leeds Annual Report for 2024/25 which sets out for our Supporters, Staff, Volunteers, Funders and the Families we support the work and achievements we made over the year and also outlines what we are at in our three year strategy. Our impact over the year Our Staff have, yet again, supported even more families and children across the City than in previous years– 398 families (compared to 379 in 2023/24) and 619 children (compared to 603 in 2023/24). Our Dad Matters Calderdale service has been re-awarded further funds for the “Start for Life Programme”. A great achievement by the Team who are going from strength to strength in the delivery of these highly endorsed services. Since Summer 2023 we have also operated in the Calderdale Council area Our Doula Programme, which is about improving Maternity Services, through Midwife referrals, with BAME and vulnerable women, is still on-going. Funding difficulties have still impacted on the roll-out of this service and we were therefore delighted to secure a private donation in the year so to carry on with this badly needed service from March 2025. Governance We saw the retirement of three of our longer-standing Trustees during the year Yvonne Butterfield, Anita Hawryszczuk and Heather O’Donnell and Elizabeth Draper resigned to take-up further professional studies. They are all sadly missed. Consequently, we strengthened our Trustee Board, again, over the year through the appointment of two new Trustees, Peter Harrison, who has taken over as Chair of the Finance Committee and Emma Yates, who has joined the HR and Governance Committee. We also appointed one of our existing Trustees, Gerald Brown to the role of Trustee responsible for Volunteers. Gerald, has already started to improve communications between the Trustee Board and Volunteers as well as providing ideas for the on-going recruitment of new Volunteers. Our Plans for the Future Board of Trustees As always a thank you to our Board of Trustees. During the year we said goodbye to 3 long serving Trustee and were joined by a new Trustees. During the year we were supported by: Simon Benger Karen Breakwell Gerald Browne Yvonne Butterfield Elizabeth Draper Carol Elston Peter Harrison Anita Hawryszczuk Heather O’Donnell Emma Yates We reviewed Year 2 of our Strategic Plan 2023-2026 for Home-Start Leeds and are now working towards the recruitment of a Corporate Funding Manager. We strongly feel that this will help us drive one of our key strategic aims through raising our profile and through the raising of donations so that we can provide even more services to improve outcomes for Children across the city. Finally, I would like to record my thanks to our Chief Executive, our Staff, our Volunteers, and the Trustee Board for all their great work which allows us to commit to Home-start Leeds. Everyone’s’ determination and contribution remain an invaluable resource that really does make a difference in supporting the families of Leeds. Karen Breakwell Chair of Trustees, Home Start Leeds
Once again Home-Start Leeds has had a busy year with Leeds families continuing to reach out for support with every increasing needs and complexities. Working with and through families’ complex issues our Staff and Volunteers support parents to give their children the best start in life; and help the whole family achieve their aims and goals. Families are often in a form of ‘crisis’ when referred to us with a common theme of financial difficulties and housing conditions – we continue to issue ‘Emergency Food Vouchers’ and refer people to the city’s Foodbanks and Baby Bank; provide clothes and shoes, furniture, furnishing and bedding; and offer Pre-paid Bus Tickets for travel to appointments. In year we launched one new service – we were awarded funding by the Jimbo’s Fund for a pilot service to work with parents aged 26 years and over who were having or who had had their children removed. The service supports parents to access Contact Centre’s (to see their children) and consider life without their children including contraception, housing, education, and employment. Funders Home-Start Leeds would like to thank its funders during the 2024 – 2025 financial year. It is only with the continuation of funding being available that we have been able to continue to deliver our much-needed services to Leeds families: In year we were re-awarded 1 years funding for our Dad Matters Calderdale as a result of Calderdale Council’ ‘Start for Life’ funding being extended. In 2023/2024 I was appointed by Voluntary Action Leeds to be a Third Sector Representative on the Leeds City Council ‘Family Help Partnership Board’ and in year I continued to work with the Board to ensure the best outcomes for children in the city. In 2024/2025I was appointed, by Forum Central, to be the Third Sector Representative on the ‘Maternity Population Board’ and ‘Maternity Partnership’; and in March 2025 I was asked to join the ‘Best Start and Beyond Alliance Working Group’ by Leeds City Council. ‘Learning & Development’ is fundamental to service delivery as families presenting complexities grow. In year, the Staff Team took part in 62 different areas of training including Pre-Birth, Health and Mental Health; and more complex training including Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Promoting Reunification; and Trauma & Resilience Informed Practice. Training benefits the Team’s professional development and enhances organisational learning and professionalism; and we will continue to invest in development and learning. Thanks as always to the Board of Trustees for their dedicated support to Home-Start Leeds, myself, the Staff Team, and Volunteers. During the year we said goodbye to 4 Trustees - who retired with 31 years’ service between them - and welcomed 2 new Trustees. As always I would like to thank the Staff Team for their work and their willingness to go ‘above and beyond’ to support families when the unexpected or crisis occurs – their passion, experience and empathy is displayed every day their commitment is outstanding. Finally, I would like to thank our Volunteers who are a key part of our support offer - they support Families through emotional and practical help. Being a Volunteer is also about personal growth and as with previous years we have seen people move to new careers and education – as an organisation we are proud to provide people with skills and experience to help them develop new futures. Home-Start Leeds will continue, in 2025/2026, to provide services people need and seek new funds to expand our service offer in Leeds and beyond. Funding continues to be a sector challenge but we know the need for support has not diminished so we will continue to ‘lobby’ our cause and the needs of parents and children as we know how important a good start to life is to children. Tracey Simpson-Laing Chief Executive Officer, Home-Start Leeds Donations During the financial year we received financial donations from individuals and organisations. Some donations were for specific reasons other towards the general running costs of delivering our services. We would like to thank all those who made donations including: • • • • • Addleshaws Goddard Bramell Fund John Lewis Partnership Pinsent Masons University of Leeds We would like to thank Waitrose (Meanwood, Leeds) – who provided funds for ‘Christmas Eve Activity Sacks’ for Children
Tracey Simpson-Laing CEO Jacquie Administrator Nicola Senior Coordinator / Safeguarding Lead / Doula Lead Michelle Hannah Senior Coordinator/ Mental health Lead/ Larning & Development Lead Coordinator Kacie Coordinator Darren Hermeet Dad Matters Coordinator Leeds Coordinator Rachel Coordinator Clare Coordinator Matthew Dad Matters Coordinator Calderdale Coordinator Jade Impact and Achievements 2024—2025 As with previous years, whilst families supported come from across the Leeds City Council geographical area - a majority come from the city’s ‘inner electoral wards’ which have ONS (Office National Statistics) ‘Multiple Deprivation Indices’ in the worst 10% & 20% in England. Additionally, we have continued to offer our Dad Matters service in the Calderdale Council area through their Family Hubs programme and Maternity settings. Those we support struggle with complex and multiple needs including poor Mental Health, Trauma, Domestic Abuse, Learning Disabilities and Substance Misuse which affect children in the home – and we are seeing an ever increasing complexity of need. Our data shows that around 90% of parents/carers presented with a level of poor Mental III Health, with less in the lower level categories; 31% sighted past/current Substance Abuse; 45% sighted past/current Domestic Abuse; and 72% had at least one financial issue. With around 95% of ‘families’ referred for support we continue to work as part of a ‘Multi-Agency’ approach that requires our Coordinators to spend increased time providing in-depth support - they take part in Case Conferences with regard to statutory plans and meetings including ‘Child In Need Plans,’ ‘Child Protection Plans’ and ‘Early Help Plans;’ and are involved in Pre-Birth Assessments. Who we supported Professional Feedback ‘’I just wanted to share how appreciative and valuable Home -Start Leeds involvement has been in the support provided to Mum. Your Coordinator has been so committed, flexible and supportive during the time she has supported Mum, and also working closely with ourselves. The Coordinator has gone above and beyond for the family and has contributed to a potentially very positive outcome. Just wanted to pass this on and thank you!’’ Family Feedback ‘’Thank you so much . I wanted to say I am very grateful for all the help and support you are giving me . I know you really are routing for me and not giving up on me . You are very supportive in everything you do as an organisation—thank you for what you are doing for me and other families . Thank you and bless you, and have strength and good health . Thank you Dad’s Families Doula Supported 73 Supported Support 26 Children Supported 619 299 Ages of Children Supported: 0-2 years old - 260 3-7 years old - 212 7-11 years old - 15 12-18 years old - 32
Dad Matters Our Dad Matters services supports Dads/NonBirthing Partner to have the best possible relationship with their families. Our service is part of the Dad Matters UK network; works closely with other local professionals and nationally to better support Dads in the first 1001 days of their parenting journey; and works with our Perinatal Service. Dad Matters Coordinators provides One-to-One Peer Support to Dads/Non-Birthing Partner, signposted and supported them to access services and information to help make sense of being a Dad/Non-Birthing Partner; and supported Dads/Non-Birthing Partner with anxiety, stress, and mental health awareness. Dad Matters aims to: • Help Dads/Non-Birthing Partner have positive relationships with their families • Support Dads/Non-Birthing Partner with their wellbeing and mental health • Encouraged Dads/Non-Birthing Partner to participate in services traditionally targeted for Mums/Birthing Partners The service provides support to Dads to access: • Antenatal and Postnatal classes/groups for Dads • Outreach services/’drop in’s’ at Maternity Centre’s Dad Matters Leeds Dad Matters Leeds is part of the Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service (LMWS) which is led by Leeds Community Healthcare Trust. During the year the service supported: 29 95 793 Dads/Non-Birthing Partner through One-to-One support Dads/Non-Birthing Partners through Groups and Drop - In-Clinics Dads/Non-Birthing Partners in informal settings including Maternity and ’Drop-Ins’ Dad Matters Leeds is funded Yorkshire Integrated Care Board) by NHS West Dad Matters Calderdale The Dad Matters Coordinator provides One-to-One Peer Support to Dads/ Non-Birthing Partner, signposts, and supports them to access services and information to help make sense of being a Dad/Non-Birthing Partner; and supports with anxiety, stress, and mental health awareness. During the year, the service provided support to: 44 Dads/Non-Birthing Partners with One-to-One support 82 Dads/Non-Birthing Partner through Groups and Clinics And made initial contact with 1348 people at Maternity and Family Hub settings. Dad Matters Calderdale is funded by Calderdale Council through the Department for Education ‘Start for Life programme’
Family Ties supports: Kinship Carers – non-parents including Grandparents, Siblings and Friends looking after non-birth children Reunification Parents – parents being reunified with their children after a period of time in Kinship or State Care. Service Coordinators work with Statutory Agencies to provide expert support; a n d support Carers and Parents at appointments with statutory bodies that they can find difficult to attend. The support provided helps Carers and Parents to better understand and navigate the processes that the care of a child(ren) can involve. Our work also ensures families have appropriate home furnishings, clothes, and heating; that benefits/income are claimed to ensure maximum household income; that homes are ready for children to live in; and that there is support when children join a family. Our Services Leeds Doulas Home-Start Leeds has been piloting a Doulas Service for Leeds - the service supports Mums-to-Be/Birthing Partners 6 weeks either side of baby’s birth. The service is referral only through Leeds Maternity Services and is targeted at those with ‘Health Inequalities’ to improve ‘Maternity Outcomes’. Volunteers undertake Doula Training provided by our in-house trainer; and then are matched with a Mums-to-Be/Birthing Partners to support them over a 12-week period which can include support at the birth. In year we sought alternative funds for the services and supported the work through Donations, however the Service stopped taking referrals in December 2024. During the year the service supported 34 Families Fortunately, we were able to attract a private donation for this work and we relaunched the service in March 2025. The criteria has had to be tightened and we are working with Maternity Service Partners to ensure those most in need receive support. Family Ties is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. In year we supported 34 Women at some stage of pregnancy, giving more in-depth support to 13. In year we have seen an increase in the need for Reunification support as Leeds City Council have placed an emphasis on this need. During the year we continued to work with local Kinship Peer Support groups, Leeds City Council Kinship Team, and the Reunification Team – who have signposted/referred Carers and Parents. Carers and Parents can also self-refer to the service.
Parent To Parent ‘Parent to Parent’ supports parents with moderate to complex mental health needs and accepts referrals and self-referrals citywide. My Life My Life is a ‘pilot service‘ working with parents aged over 26 years of age who are at risk of, or who have had repeated removals of child(ren) from their care. The service support many families living with multiple life complexities who can also live with high levels of ‘Multiple Deprivation Indices.’ The service supports families to: Understand parenting responsibilities Improve their child’s behaviour by: building resilience and coping strategies bonding with the parent enjoying play and social interaction with peers and other adults Reduce isolation through Volunteer support to enable access to social activities and health appointments Improve their child’s health and wellbeing through healthy eating, exercise, and selfawareness We supported parents to reflect on and address behaviours that led to having the possibility of, or had led to the removal of a child to develop new life skills for an improved future; and in doing so improve their mental wellbeing and reduce the likelihood of further child(ren) removal. This is a referral only service for Social Work Teams, Health Service Teams and Third Sector Organisations. Parent to Parent Coordinators support families with ‘statutory process’ and meetings – we are often part of a Multi-Agency Plan to support a family with their child’s development and wellbeing. Where there is a ‘need’ we match families with a Volunteer to support with work to improve the home environment or get out into the local community. During the year, the service supported 18 Families Parent To Parent is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund . My Life is funded by Jimbos Fund for 12 months and commenced on the 1st May 2024 During the year, the service supported 152 families
Perinatal Service The service is part of the Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service provision. Home-Start Leeds Perinatal Service promotes and supports the importance of early attachment by educating and empowering families who feel low in mood and/or stressed following the birth of their baby. We work with parents – mainly the Mother/Birthing Partner and their children up to aged two years - during the ‘Perinatal Period The service supports the Mother/Birthing Partner when they struggle with baby and personal and family relationships after birth as a result of poor mental ill health - over the last 6 years we have seen a growth in complexities which can make family life difficult. Support can range from ‘a chat;’ accompanying to appointments; and connecting with groups and services for wellbeing support. We also support families – through identified funds and Leeds Third Sector organisations – to access items needed to help with baby including furniture and clothes. As part of the support offer we have a ‘Swim Group.’ During the year, the service supported 95 Mothers/Birthing Partners; and continued to support 11 from the previous year. The Perinatal Service is funded through the Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service (LMWS) by West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board Household Support Fund Summer 2024 The fund supported families who were in need, and those experiencing multiple vulnerabilities or disadvantage Working with families we purchased a range of bedding and furnishings; and provided funds/vouchers for Food and Energy. The purchases meant that: • babies and children had appropriate clothing to keep them warm and dry • children living in adverse home conditions could have better sleeping conditions • Families had food and heating Working to address parents, babies, and children’s needs we were able to improve their health and well-being. Additionally, through identifying ‘issues’ we signposted some families to organisations delivering debt, health, home heating and healthy living advice. The fund supported 21 Families (children and adults) Household Support Fund is managed by Forum Central on behalf of Leeds City Council The funding ending on the 30th September 2024
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