Home-Start West Dorset moves its offices to Fordington

The offices are now based in the Dorchester Youth and Community Centre in Kings Road.

Home-Start trustee, Andrew Bailey, feels it’s a positive move, and said: “As an organisation we work hard to combine a highly professional approach while keeping a close eye on running costs, thus ensuring that we can help as many local families as possible.

“With the rent for our premises having decreased with the move, we’re putting some of the money we’re saving towards a new member of staff who will be responsible for overseeing our exciting new School Readiness Programme.

“The programme is a new addition to the services we currently offer, with specially trained volunteers helping prepare pre-school children and their families for school.

“It’s also a good fit, having Home-Start based in the community centre, as both charities’ work involves supporting children and their families.”

Home-Start West Dorset began its core programme of training volunteers to visit and support families with a child under five in 2009.

Since that time the organisation has helped more than 600 families, with needs as diverse as multi-birth, parent bereavement and help and advice in running the family home.

But still, the charity had to turn away 29 families last year as it didn’t have enough capacity within the organisation to match volunteers and supervisors to them.

With 22 new volunteers currently going through the core training scheme, the new office premises will allow for future staff growth.

Helen Horsley, senior organiser said: “With new premises, and a whole new programme starting it’s certainly exciting times for Home-Start West Dorset.

“In the current economic climate more and more families are asking for help, and I’m so pleased that we continue to be able to support as many of them as we do.

“The move has given us new energy and motivation; and it’s also a very welcoming space.’’

For more information visit www.homestartwestdorset.co.uk/