Home-Start Wessex

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Home-Start Wessex is a charity supporting families with young children in need in Dorset

We cover a large area of Dorset, helping families living within the BCP council areas of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch as well as the Purbecks and Dorset Council areas as far north as Cranborne and as far west as Wareham. The population of this area is over 500,000 with many pockets of high-level deprivation.

26/10/2026

The transition to parenthood can be challenging for anyone, but young parents often face additional pressures at a time when they are still navigating major changes in their own lives.

Behind closed doors, many young parents can experience heightened stress, anxiety and low mood. Research shows they may be at greater risk of postnatal mental health difficulties, with loneliness and a lack of support often making these challenges even harder to manage.

When you're caring for a baby or young child, it can be difficult to find time for yourself, build new friendships or ask for help when you need it most.

At Home-Start Wessex, we're here to listen.

Through practical and emotional support, we help parents build supportive connections, reduce feelings of isolation and know they don't have to face life's challenges alone.

Because supporting parents helps children thrive. 💜

23/10/2026

Half-Term Group Update

A quick reminder that our groups will not be running next week during the half-term break and will return as normal on Monday 2nd November.

However, Storytime at our Christchurch charity shop will still be running on Thursday at 2pm, so we'd love to see you there for stories, fun and a warm welcome! 📚✨

We hope everyone has a wonderful half-term and enjoys some quality time together.

We look forward to welcoming you back to our groups soon.

22/10/2026

When times are tough, the right support can make all the difference.

This is the story of a local parent who was facing isolation, health and wellbeing challenges, and the demands of caring for five children, some with additional needs.

With support from Home-Start Wessex, positive changes became possible. From improving wellbeing and reducing isolation to creating greater stability for the family, this story shows the difference that support can make.

Watch their story below. ⬇️

21/10/2026

Looking for the perfect Halloween costume? 🎃👻

We've got a fantastic range of spooky, scary and fun costumes waiting for you at our Christchurch charity shop!

Whether you're heading to a party, taking the children trick-or-treating, or just getting into the spooky spirit, we've got plenty to choose from.

Every purchase helps Home-Start Wessex continue supporting local families.

Visit us in Saxon Square, Christchurch and find your Halloween look before it's gone!

20/10/2026

💜 Tesco Fleetsbridge Group Update 💜

We wanted to let you know that our Friday morning group at Tesco Fleetsbridge will not be running this week and we have made the difficult decision to close the group going forward.

We would like to thank everyone who has joined us. It has been a privilege to welcome so many families and see parents, carers and children connect, play and make lasting friendships.

While the Tesco Fleetsbridge Group is coming to an end, we continue to run a number of other groups across our area. Please see the map below for details of these.

If we establish another local group in the future, we'll be sure to share the details.

Thank you for your support, understanding and for being part of the Tesco Fleetsbridge Group community.

19/10/2026

Every donation can go a little further with Gift Aid!

If you're a UK taxpayer, adding Gift Aid to your donation allows us to claim an extra 25p for every £1 donated, at no extra cost to you.

Whether you're donating items to our charity shop or making a financial contribution, saying 'yes' to Gift Aid helps us raise more funds to ensure families receive the support, friendship and practical help they need.

Thank you to everyone who already signs up for Gift Aid. Your support makes a real difference. 💜

15/10/2026

As part of Baby Loss Awareness Week, we invite you to join families across the world by lighting a candle at 7pm tonight for the global Wave of Light.

Wherever you are, your candle will become part of a chain of light spanning the world, remembering every little life lost too soon.

At Home-Start Wessex, we're thinking of all the parents, siblings, grandparents and loved ones affected by baby loss. You are not alone.

If you have experienced baby loss and would like support, please get in touch. We're here to listen.

Join us at 7pm and be part of the

14/10/2026

💜Thank You for supporting our Women & Girls Big Give campaign💜

As the Big Give Women & Girls 2026 campaign comes to a close, we'd like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated and helped us reach our target.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have raised vital funds that will help us continue supporting women, girls and families across our communities. Through the Big Give's match funding model, every donation went even further, increasing the impact of every gift received.

A special thank you to , who generously supported the campaign. Their support, alongside contributions from other donors and supporters, will help us continue being there for families when they need us most.

Every donation, large or small, makes a difference, and we're incredibly grateful to everyone who chose to support this appeal. Together, you're helping us create brighter futures for local families.

13/10/2026

Becoming a parent at a young age can bring joy, purpose and love, but it can also mean taking on responsibilities that many people your age have yet to face.

While friends may be studying, building careers, travelling or spending time socialising, young parents are often focused on caring for their children, managing household pressures and adapting to a completely new chapter of life.

Behind closed doors, this can sometimes leave young parents feeling isolated and overwhelmed, without the support network they need to thrive.

At Home-Start Wessex, we're here to help. Through practical and emotional support, we help parents build confidence, make connections and know they don't have to face challenges alone.

Because every parent deserves support, understanding and someone in their corner.

12/10/2026

is an opportunity to bring us together as a community and provide a safe and supportive space for people affected by baby loss, to share their experiences and feel less alone.

Know that we are here for you today and beyond.

As part of Baby Loss Awareness Week, we're sharing quotes from Dad Matters UK, shared by dads and families who have experienced baby loss. We are sharing these stories not to make people feel sad, but to help those who have experienced loss feel seen, heard and understood.

If you have experienced baby loss and need some help, please get in touch. We're here to listen.

Find support and information here: https://www.home-start.org.uk/loss-and-bereavement

Address

1462 Wimborne Road
Bournemouth
BH107AS

Telephone

+441202574877

Website

https://linktr.ee/homestartwessex, https://homestartwessex.org.uk/, https://givewheel.com/fundraising/11919/bexs-london-

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