Home-Start Portsmouth is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support. We help families with practical and confidential support.
Being a parent can be lonely, frustrating and overwhelming. Home-Start is there for families when they need it the most, because childhood can't wait.
The earliest years make a big difference. Home-Start helps to make those years count, so no child's future is limited.
Welcome to Home-Start Portsmouth
Home-Start Portsmouth is a voluntary organisation dedicated to promoting the welfare of families with children under the age of 5 in the city.
We offer emotional and practical support through trained home-visiting volunteers, stay and play groups, and expert guidance, helping families navigate their most challenging times. The early years make a significant impact, and we’re here to help make those years count to ensure no child’s future is limited.
Our volunteers receive training and ongoing support from experienced coordinators, who provide guidance and advice throughout their journey.
We ensure each family receives tailored support to achieve the best possible outcomes for their future. This is acheievd through a varitety of projects offering support from pregnancy until school, and beyond within the Portsmouth Family Hubs.
Challenges such as postnatal depression, financial difficulties, relocation, or multiple births can make an already vulnerable time even harder. We can offer one-to-one support, groups and peer suppot, or signpost you to the right service within the city.
Parenting can be lonely, frustrating, and overwhelming. Home-Start is here for families when they need it most because childhood can’t wait.
315
Families supported through home visiting projects
788
Children received support through projects
108
volunteers supporting families
Latest news & events
Family Hub Open Days
Are you a new or expectant parent? Not sure what is on offer to support you through your parenting journey Find out what’s on offer to support you...
Family Hub Open Days
Are you a new or expectant parent? Not sure what is on offer to support you through your parenting journey Find out what’s on offer to support you...
Get support
We work with you to build on your strengths and give you the support you tell us you need.
Ways to volunteer
By volunteering just a few hours a week you can transform the lives of young children and their parents in your community.
Why fundraise for us?
A child’s earliest years are the most important. Home-Start wants to make sure those years count. Can you help us?
Projects
Home Visiting
Our core service is the home visiting volunteer project. Volunteers are recruited and trained on our thorough induction course and then matched to a...
The Nurturing Programme
At Home-Start Portsmouth, we know that parenting is one of the most challenging, demanding jobs there is. It can also be one of the most rewarding –...
Big Hopes Big Future
This service is for children in their last year before they start school and aims to help get them ready to go school. Trained volunteers are...
Royal Navy and Royal Marines
We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity to try and break isolation for Navy and Marine families....
Portsmouth Parent Board
We are in the very privileged position to work with the Portsmouth Parent Board by providing them with support and facilitation. This excerpt from...
Portsmouth Parent Voice
Portsmouth Parent Voice (PPV) are the official Parent Carer Forum for Portsmouth. They help the parent carers of children or young people with...
Perinatal Outreach Support
A brand NEW project supporting parents in the perinatal period with a weekly peer support group and 1-1 volunteer support led in the home. Starting...
ARC Outreach Project
Antenatal Results and Choices Outreach Project We are proud to introduce our ARC Outreach Project, a dedicated initiative working with ARC, designed...
Dad Matters
NEW 1-1 free support for dads with children under the age of 2 Are you a new dad? Want to build your confidence, create resources, and feel...
Stay and play groups
Stay and Play Groups
Our Stay & Play Groups are free and run at different locations throughout the city. Being a parent can be lonely in many different ways and we...
Bump & Beyond Perinatal Group
A NEW free friendly drop-in group for parents to be and those with babies up to 2 years old. This group is completely casual to fit around you and...
Little Stars SEND Stay & Play Group
Our Little Stars SEN Groups are for parents and children with SEND up to the age of 5. These groups are completely free to attend. Mondays -...
LGBTQIA+ Stay & Play Group
Our LGBTQIA+ inclusive Stay & Play Group for parents and children under the age of 5, every Friday afternoon at Northern Parade Family Hub This...
RNRM Stay & Play Group
Our Royal Navy & Royal Marines family Stay & Play group runs every Tuesday morning at Cockleshell Community Centre. Parenting can be lonely...
Music and Movement Stay & Play Group
Music and Movement Stay & Play Groups FREE weekly Music and Movement sessions in the Portsmouth Family Hubs delivered by Boogie Mites Every...
Keep up to date with our latest news
We'd love to keep in touch with our latest news and events.
Home-Start Portsmouth will ensure that all personal information is processed properly however it is collected, retained, used or otherwise processed, in accordance with GDPR legislation. Visit the newsletter page to find out how it works.
See our Privacy Policy
With thanks to our supporters
