AN ORGANISATION celebrating 20 years of support for families in Cornwall is launching a “Cascade of Kindness” during the lockdown.

For many parents of young children, a helping hand and friendly support from local charity Home-Start Kernow has provided a welcome and much needed lifeline in the midst of the pandemic.

Many families were already struggling to cope with issues such as depression and anxiety, isolation and loneliness and in some cases, their own or their children’s disability, and physical illness. Since the coronavirus pandemic took hold, the need for support has increased massively.

Originally set up in 2001, Home-Start Kernow has worked with hundreds of children and families across Cornwall during the past twenty years, offering free, confidential support, friendship and practical help.

“Cascade of Kindness” is a new campaign to mark their 20th anniversary year and aimed at raising money to help even more local children and families who are going through a difficult time.

Home-Start Kernow’s network of 60 highly trained volunteers, most of whom are parents themselves, work across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. They give one-to-one support to families who are, for whatever reason, struggling to cope with the pressures of family life. Home-Start’s volunteers are carefully matched to a family and are there to help get families back on track, and this in turn will have a positive outcome for the future of their children.

“Being a parent, whatever your situation, can be very difficult, especially when children are young” said Home-Start Kernow Chair Michelle Gould.

“Many parents feel exhausted by the stresses of family life, particularly if they have little support from family and friends when they need it most.

“For parents who are coping with multiple births, or issues arising from mental health, isolation, loneliness, financial problems, unemployment, illness and disability which affect the whole family, it can be overwhelming.

“Our amazing volunteers visit families in their own homes to provide practical and emotional support when and where it is most needed”.

In addition to the visits from specially trained volunteers, a team of co-ordinators also provide a rolling programme of group support for parents of twins, multiple births, toddlers, new babies and parent-to-parent peer support around mental health issues.

“During the past 12 months we have seen increased unemployment, depression and anxiety amongst parents as a result of the pandemic and the lockdown restrictions “ said Scheme Manager Debbie Wesley.

“Last year we significantly extended our reach to cover the whole of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, delivering one to one support to over 250 children from 116 families via text, calls and face to face visits.

“Now, we more than ever, we need to make sure we can carry on our work with families so we are launching our Cascade of Kindness 20th anniversary fund-raising campaign.”

The Home-Start Kernow team are asking people to think of something fun they can do – whether big or small – and be sponsored for it.

“Whether you want to be sponsored for your first ever swim in the sea, get your whole family doing sponsored backward running laps around your garden or be sponsored for every pancake you can flip – the aim is to have fun at the same time as raising money to help us support struggling parents and children across Cornwall,” said Michelle Gould.

“When you have come up with your idea, you need to get up to 20 friends to sponsor you and then ask them to pass on the idea to up to 20 of their friends to pass the kindness on. ”

People can also make individual donations if they prefer.

The charity has posted lots of great ideas on their website, https://homestartkernow.org.uk/fundraising"; TARGET="_blank">https://homestartkernow.org.uk/fundraising and will also be posting more ideas each Wednesday on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HomeStartKernow"; TARGET="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/HomeStartKernow so people can add their ideas to it.

A number of Home-Start Kernow volunteers and families are already busy raising money, with ideas including online auctions, birthday fundraisers and individual donations.

Many parents have told Home-Start Kernow about the real difference their support has made to their lives: “I didn’t know how to parent properly," said one mum.

"I felt lost not knowing about mothering skills, and being caring about a child’s development and wellbeing.

Another said: "With support from my volunteer I felt better able to deal with my son’s behaviour, and his behaviour improved.”

A third parent added: "For anyone who has a child, especially single parents, it’s brilliant to have that emotional support and even just for a weekly chat".

“It is more important than ever to ensure that we can help parents who are struggling” said Michelle. “Please help us to help children and families across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly by supporting our campaign”

Some messages from volunteers and donators that have come through on the Homestark Kernow JustGiving Campaign page.

‘’Continuing to raise funds for the fantastic work of Homestart Kernow, thanks to the generosity of friends, family and the local community."

"Supporting children and families in need across Cornwall. Happy to help this vital service. "

Current individual fundraiser event for the Cascade of Kindness Campaign taking place https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/michelle-gould3"; TARGET="_blank">https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/michelle-gould3

The next individual fundraiser event for the Cascade of Kindness Campaign 6th March. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/elizabeth-sim3"; TARGET="_blank">https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/elizabeth-sim3