Home-Start Trafford, Salford & Wigan

18/09/2026

Every parent needs a village, but not every parent has one.

Just 2–3 hours of your time each week can offer practical help, a reassuring chat and a vital lifeline to a local family who needs it most.

Our next volunteer training kicks off next week on September 24th and we'd love to welcome you to the team.

All you need to get involved:

*2–3 hours a week to be a friendly, supportive presence for a local family
*Attendance at a 2-day prep course starting Sept 24th
*Completion of 6 e-learning modules from the comfort of home

You don’t need any formal qualifications, just your empathy, warmth and everyday life experience.

Join us before training begins next week:
🌐 Head to www.hsts.org.uk
📧 Email [email protected]
📞 Call 0161 865 4222

16/09/2026

Every family deserves a helping hand when life gets tough. 🤝✨

Our wonderful trustee Carolyn is running two half marathons to raise funds for Home-Start Trafford, Salford and Wigan! The first being this Sunday 20th September!

While Home-Start supports parents through everyday challenges like isolation, illness, or simply navigating the early years, Carolyn also knows the profound difference that timely support makes at the sharpest end of parenting struggles.

Here is why Carolyn is taking on the miles:

"I have worked in children’s social care for 35 years mainly in child protection and witnessed many families struggle with day to day life. It’s heart-breaking when parents aren’t able to meet their children’s basic needs and results in them being placed in care. Home-Start provides that very early help for families which helps them through those difficult times and gives them the confidence and support to put them back on track without the need for formal intervention.

This keeps families together and saves huge amounts of money that formal care proceedings entails. I’m fortunate to be a trustee for Trafford, Salford and Wigan Home-Start and witness the amazing work they do. The staff are super dedicated and go above and beyond and me running these two marathons to raise much needed funds is the least I can do."

Let’s rally behind Carolyn and ensure no family has to face the difficult times alone. 💙

🔗 https://www.justgiving.com/page/carolyn-west-4?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

11/09/2026

Come and join us to show your support and have lots of fun this Sunday!

Bethany is a parent we’ve had the privilege of supporting at Home-Start, and now we’re asking our community to join us in supporting her.

Her son Rudy was born with bilateral anophthalmia and a rare SOX2 gene mutation and Bethany has arranged a Family Fun Day Fundraiser this Sunday (13th Sept) to help raise funds and awareness.

Pop along for live singers, face painting, dance performances and much more, and show them some local support!

27/08/2026

Honouring the life and legacy of Dolly Parton who founded Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Dolly wanted to make sure that every young child could have books of their very own, regardless of their family’s circumstances.

She hoped those books would encourage children to love reading, dream more and believe that their own possibilities were bigger than they might imagine.

Today, in communities across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Australia, children receive a book with their name on it because people in their own communities decided Dolly’s dream was worth sharing.

At Home-Start Trafford, Salford & Wigan, we partner with the Imagination Library so that children under 5, being supported by our core service, are given the opportunity to receive a new book in the post, every month for 12 months.

So far, 131 children have received books via us and Imagination Library in the last 12 months!

Funding for this comes through donations from public/corporates and we are forever grateful 🙏

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11/08/2026

Could you be the lifeline a local family needs? 🧡

Parenting is tough, and some families in Trafford, Salford and Wigan can face isolation, poor mental health or overwhelming stress without a support network. As a Home-Start volunteer, you can change that.

By visiting a family just 2 hours a week, you offer practical help, a listening ear and the reassurance that they aren't alone.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

✨ Who can volunteer? Parents, grandparents, or anyone with relevant caregiving/life experience.
⏰ Time commitment: 2 hours per week, fitted around your life.
📚 Training provided: Free, comprehensive volunteer training course, starting soon!
📍 Location: Supporting families right here in Trafford, Salford and Wigan.

You don't need special qualifications, just empathy, understanding and a desire to help children thrive.

READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
👉 Tap the link in our bio to apply online or DM us to request an informal chat.
📧 [email protected]
📞 0161 865 4222
🌐 https://hsts.org.uk/volunteer

05/08/2026

A single volunteer doesn't just offer support, they offer a safe space where a family can feel truly heard, valued and never alone. 🧡

If you can spare just a couple of hours a week, you have the power to change a local family's life. We are hosting information sessions both in-person and online to answer your questions and share how volunteering works:

✨ In-Person: Drop in any Tuesday between 10am–12pm at Stretford Library.

✨ Online: Join a quick 30-minute session on Aug 14th, Aug 28th, or Sept 11th (12:00pm–12:30pm).

Links to join our online sessions:

August 14th
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89520144761?pwd=nXaLKoT7Mo6CEOqavqe9S6LspqA1cT.1

Meeting ID: 895 2014 4761
Passcode: 8Wbish

August 28th:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84685314460?pwd=ZmCbJa2bK7qHZaibTlN0FWdmEAoxKb.1
Meeting ID: 846 8531 4460
Passcode: 9q33n6

September 11th
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85270173219?pwd=kOPImeCgyWgpMq4RHaOyNnvWuhZsg5.1
Meeting ID: 852 7017 3219
Passcode: 0dn0VL

👉 Next volunteer prep course starts September 24th!

Scan the QR code on the post, visit www.hsts.org.uk, or email [email protected] to find out more and sign up!

05/08/2026

Behind every supported family is a volunteer who cared enough to step up. Hear directly from Ella about why she loves being part of our team and why you should join us. We’ll be sharing recruitment details in our next post!

02/07/2026

Come and see us at Tyldesley Carnival! 🎡

We’re selling awesome sportswear and clothing donated straight from Manchester City, plus fab accessories from local businesses. ⚽️🩵

Want to make a difference? Chat with us about volunteering.

Every single penny raised goes directly toward supporting local families. Come for the fun, leave with some great gear, and support a wonderful cause. See you all there!

11/06/2026

We're celebrating Infant Mental Health Awareness Week!✨

Here at Home-Start, we love supporting parents and babies and know the importance of the earliest days.

Helping families navigate this wonderful but sometimes challenging time is so important. That's why our volunteers are offered additional training to support parents and infants in their earliest days, weeks and months. 📚💛

Take a look at the Parent-Infant Foundation "Attunement" poster, and hear from one of our volunteers about how this specialist training helps them support families through those first vital months.

Want to help us protect the first 1,001 days? Whether you want to give your time as a volunteer or donate to fund this vital training, you can make a life-changing difference. Visit http://hsts.org.uk/ or DM us to get involved. 🚀

05/06/2026

Behind every Home-Start family is a volunteer who cared. 💜

To celebrate our team wanted to take a moment to say a massive, heartfelt THANK YOU to the incredible people who make our mission possible.

Because of you families across our community didn’t have to face the hard times alone. You are the heart of Home-Start Trafford, Salford & Wigan and we couldn’t do this without you! 🙌✨

🌟Would you like to volunteer in the Trafford, Salford or Wigan community? You don’t need special qualifications, just compassion, a little time and a desire to help.

👉 How to join us: Visit hsts.org.uk/volunteer to learn more about becoming a Home-Start volunteer or send us a DM today!