Newbury-based builder and consultant Helix Group has donated £5,000 to support Home-Start West Berkshire’s Maternal Mental Health Project.
The money from Helix Group will be used by the charity to deliver practical and emotional support to at least 50 local families, affected by mental health illnesses.
Reports show that more than 1 in 10 women develop a mental illness in the perinatal period and during the current and uncertain climate Home-Start West Berkshire is more concerned than ever about the mental health and wellbeing of women during pregnancy and following childbirth.
Home-Start’s project has been designed to support new parents by assigning home-visiting volunteers that are able to provide flexible and responsive support, making sure that parents and their children have access to vital support they need.
All the charity’s volunteers have parenting experience and complete a 30-hours accredited training programme, providing them with the tools they need to best support families.
Nic Davies, managing director at Helix Group, said: “The coronavirus crisis has placed an even greater strain on young families who are vulnerable, isolated or facing mental health challenges.
“Home-Start West Berkshire is doing amazing work to support families finding themselves in difficult situations and we’re pleased that Helix Group has been able to support the charity in meeting its local funding target, so that it can keep delivering this much-needed support through its volunteer network.”
Grace Green, scheme manager at Home-Start West Berkshire, said: “We’re incredibly grateful for our corporate partnership with Helix Group and its latest donation, which will enable us to train more volunteers so that we can support more parents and children that need us.
“At Home-Start West Berkshire we understand that the transition to becoming a parent and the weeks, sometimes months, following the birth of a baby can be a difficult time. This project will enable us to relieve some of the huge emotional, physical, social and relationship pressures, some parents may be facing.”
To find out more about the project or to make a donation, visit here.
