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Welsh charity, Home-Start Cymru (HSC) is piloting an integrated service model that links with community-based, and third-sector organisations, to ensure that families across Wales receive the help they need before challenges escalate.

With nearly one-third of children in Wales living in poverty - the highest rate among UK devolved nations - HSC’s new model will address key issues, including fuel poverty, parental mental health, and family wellbeing, while also raising awareness of carbon monoxide safety.

Home-Start Cymru, an independent Welsh charity with over 20 years’ experience, is piloting the service after receiving nearly £50k of funding from gas emergency and pipeline service, Wales & West Utilities. The service, which is offered bilingually, will target support to vulnerable families that often involve young or single parents and young children.

The partnership approach will help HSC identify families in need, to ensure they receive holistic support. Upon referral, families will undergo an initial needs-led assessment from one of HSC’s staff, or one of the 180 community-based volunteers, to identify any challenges and actions. A Family Support Action Plan will then be developed, to include target outcomes for the family to work toward during the intervention.

Through the pilot, HSC will collaborate with local authorities, healthcare professionals, corporates, and third-sector organisations across Wales. It will also leverage informal partnerships with the Citizens Advice Bureau, Save the Children, Barnardo’s, Shelter Cymru, and Mind. Additionally, it will engage with antenatal clinics, schools, and libraries.

Jayne Drummond, Chief Executive Officer at Home-Start Cymru explains:

Home-Start Cymru supports some of Wales’s most vulnerable families facing poverty and significant health and wellbeing challenges.

Child poverty has been identified as the biggest issue affecting children in Wales. This funding, supported via the partnership, enables us to take an integrated, person-centred approach—providing support both at home and through accessible channels, such as virtual assistance and via group sessions in Community Hubs across Wales.

Our goal is to empower families collectively to improve financial security and resilience.

The pilot aims to support 340 families (782 individuals) with income maximisation benefits, carbon monoxide and PSR information, and energy efficiency information, amongst other areas. HSC’s mission is to deliver early intervention and preventative services that help families overcome complex challenges, such as mental health struggles, financial insecurity, and social isolation.

Sophie Shorney, VCMA Manager at Wales & West Utilities, said:

This funding will allow HSC, and its extensive partnership network, to get to the heart of families in Wales, who all need support the most.

The VCMA fund allows us to work in partnership with organisations, like HSC, to reach more people and provide them with the help they need to ensure they receive the right support and help with their bills, to help keep them safe and warm in their own environment.

Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, brings energy to 7.5m people across the south west of England and Wales. If you smell gas, or suspect the presence of carbon monoxide, call them on 0800 111 999 straight away, and their engineers will be there to help any time of day or night.