Being a parent can be lonely, frustrating and overwhelming at times, especially if you are also dealing with some of the pressures life can send your way like illness, stress or financial worries. Many parents need help, friendship and support during those early years when children are young. We provide support, friendship and practical help to parents when they need us most.
We offer trained, confidential and compassionate peer support and run parent and child groups, including PEEP and Baby Massage classes.
WHO WE SUPPORT
Anyone with a child under five in the home can contact us or ask another agency involved to complete a referral form. We cover areas in the South West and North West of Edinburgh.
HOW HOME VISITING WORKS
Our volunteers are fully trained and PVG checked, and all have experience of caring for children, often through being parents themselves. They are carefully matched with families and visit for up to two hours a week to provide emotional and practical support as needed. That may be as simple as someone to talk to or may mean someone playing with or reading to the children, support to keep appointments or finding out what is available locally. Support is completely individual to a family's unique needs.
Our service is free, confidential and non-judgmental. Our volunteers will respect your privacy and never forget that you have invited them into your home. When Covid-19 restrictions mean home-visiting is not possible our support will be offered via outdoors visits or remotely via phone or video chat. Find out more about home visiting here: One to One Support
OUR GROUPS
We run PEEP groups, which help parents learn about and encourage their babies' learning and development, and Baby Massage groups. Both are run by trained volunteers and staff. Our groups are welcoming, inclusive and fun. When Covid-19 restrictions mean it's not possible to meet, our groups are run remotely using Zoom. For more information see Groups
WORKING WITH OTHERS
We work alongside other agencies and local statutory and voluntary organisations so that we can stay updated on what's happening in our community and keep others updated on our work and new developments in our services. We liaise with other agencies involved with individual families such as Health Visitors, Social Workers, Family Centres as appropriate and have a committed approach to joint-working to help us in "Getting it Right for Every Child" in Edinburgh.
