Our dedicated volunteers have recently begun enhanced training to support families through our new project, Early Connections. The Early Connections project is funded for five years by the National Lottery Community Fund. This milestone marks an important step in the project’s pilot year. The year will focus on collaboration and building strong foundations for the future.
The Early Connections Project contributes to the NHS Long Term Plan, which works towards a shift from crisis response to early intervention and prevention. Working alongside parents and the WREN (Women Requiring Extra Nurturing) team, the project aims to create a nurturing environment where families can access early support, feel connected, and thrive.
Supporting Families from the Start
At the heart of the Early Connections Project are the following key objectives:
- Enabling parents and children to enjoy their relationships
- Reducing loneliness and isolation among parents
- Empowering parents to make confident decisions
- Helping families become happier, healthier, and safer
- Strengthening parents’ connections to peers and the wider community
High-Quality Training and Collaboration
Our volunteers play a crucial role in achieving these outcomes, and their commitment to learning and growth is inspiring. Volunteers have undertaken comprehensive training grounded in peer support and trauma-informed practice. The Early Connections training is backed by the Home-Start Kernow compassionate approach to support. This ensures every family receives compassionate, non-judgmental, and practical support.
We are especially grateful for the expertise and guidance provided by CLEAR and the Infant Feeding Team at Cornwall Council. Their specialist input has been invaluable in equipping volunteers with the tools they need to work confidently with families.
Thanks to this partnership, volunteers are now equipped with information on:
- Common challenges faced by families and how these may affect daily life
- The additional worries families may experience during pregnancy, birth, and early parenting
- Up-to-date guidance from professionals around key topics including crying, feeding, and safer sleep. This will enable them to offer informed reassurance and connect families with trusted resources.
Building Connection and Confidence
The Early Connections Project will help to foster the sense of community and belonging that Home-Start Kernow strives for in all its work. Every moment of support contributes to stronger relationships and healthier family life.
Huge thanks go to our volunteers for their dedication, and to our training partners for their expertise and collaboration. Together, we are helping families across Cornwall to feel more confident, connected, and supported.