Tonight I attended the annual general meeting of Home-Start Kincardine. Its home-visiting volunteers provide non-judgmental, confidential support to families with at least one child under five.

The aim is to help transform their lives, preventing them reaching crisis point and this can reduce the involvement of other, more acute, services. It was really heart-warming to hear of all the good work that goes on, helping those who need a helping hand over a very difficult year.

There are 14 volunteers who have helped 22 families with 41 children.

Families are referred to Home-Start primarily through health visiting and social work teams or, increasingly, via self-referrals byfrom families themselves. These families are then assessed and matched with a suitable volunteer. Families struggling with post-natal depression, isolation, physical health problems, bereavement and many other issues receive the support of this volunteer.

If you are interested in volunteering, then please email office@homestartkincardine.org. They are based in David Street, Stonehaven, and cover all of the Kincardine and Mearns Area. The group’s website is https://www.home-start.org.uk/home-start-kincardine