Meet Eva! One of our lovely Family Support Coordinators at Home-Start Warrington & Cheshire. Eva’s role involves holding a large caseload of families, managing and supporting them throughout their journey with Home-Start.
First Steps: Getting to Know Families
When a family is referred to Home-Start, Eva is their first point of contact. She gives them a quick call to introduce herself, have a chat about how Home-Start can help, and answer any questions. Once everyone feels comfortable, she arranges a home visit to meet them properly, get to know their situation, and figure out what kind of support would be most helpful.
Finding the Perfect Match
Every family is different, so Eva carefully pairs them with one of our volunteers. She looks at what the family needs and finds a volunteer with the right experience and skills to help. Then comes the all-important introduction, once they’ve met, the volunteer starts weekly visits, offering a helping hand and a listening ear.
Supporting Families & Volunteers
Eva is just as dedicated to supporting our volunteers as she is to the families. Every month, she checks in with them one-on-one, listens to how things are going, sets fresh goals, and adjusts plans if needed, making sure everyone gets the most from their Home-Start experience.
Training New Volunteers
Before jumping in, new volunteers need the right skills, and that’s where Eva’s training sessions come in! Every few months, she runs a four-week volunteer prep course, covering everything from safeguarding to practical tips for supporting families. The aim is to make sure volunteers feel ready to go, by the end of it.
Working with Other Professionals
Eva also works with other professionals and services to make sure families get all the support they need. Whether it’s connecting them with housing support, mental health services, or financial advice, she makes sure they know what’s available and where to turn.
Group & Outreach Work
On top of all this, Eva runs the Singing Mama’s group every Thursday at The Old School, giving mums a space to relax, chat, and learn some baby signing along the way. Twice a month, she also pops into Baby Zone outreach sessions, where she meets new and existing families, spreads the word about Home-Start, and offers support to those who need it.
Eva’s role is all about making sure families feel supported, understood, and empowered. From matching families with volunteers to running groups and collaborating with other services, everything she does helps families through tough times. It’s a big responsibility, and we’re so grateful for the care and dedication she brings every day!