A Hampshire charity that helps families avoid catastrophe is facing its own crisis as the economic situation affects funding and donations. 

Home-Start Hampshire has said that despite efforts to secure fundraising and introduce efficiencies, it doesn’t have the funds to continue all of its work to support families struggling to navigate the financial, social and personal pressures of parenting.

The crisis means Home-Start Hampshire is asking for help in ensuring that they can support families and children across Hampshire by donating through their Aviva Community Fund Campaign, which means every donation made is doubled.

Home-Start Hampshire’s chief executive, Glen Mallen, said: “Every parent knows that bringing up a family can be incredibly tough. Home-Start Hampshire is here to help those who are struggling get essential support quickly before an issue becomes a crisis. Our staff and volunteers help families with everything from coping with isolation and anxiety, to children with behavioural challenges. We are the lifeline families depend on to help themselves back to solid ground.

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“But now we need our own lifeline. Despite our best efforts, the financial pressures on local and national funding, as well as on individual donors, mean we’re struggling to raise the money we need to deliver our essential services. We want to continue to support families and children that need us the most. It’s a desperate situation and I’m appealing to anyone who can help support our vital community service – whether that’s by doubling any donation through the Aviva Community Fund Campaign or volunteering.

“Our approach is about early intervention - why wait until families and children are in crisis and the damage done before providing help? Without the lifeline we offer, families’ problems spiral, and they need more support later on. Home-Start Hampshire helps turn their difficult days into better tomorrows and I’m incredibly proud of that work. So it breaks my heart that we’re in a situation where we may be forced to turn those in need away and reduce our services. But it’s important that we get ourselves onto a sustainable footing so that we can continue to deliver a service to as many people as possible.”

To support Home-Start Hampshire’s Aviva Community Fund Campaign, visit avivacommunityfund.co.uk/p/financial-support-and-advice-for-families.