A new study from family support charity, Home-Start London, reveals the staggering impact of financial stress on families in Home-Start Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow during Maternal Mental Health Week. 

The study finds that nearly nine in ten (86%) of the London families the charity helps say money worries are making parenting harder, with single parents especially feeling the impact of the cost of living.

The findings, released during Maternal Mental Health Week, highlight problems affecting families in Richmond, Kingston, and Hounslow. 

Home-Start Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow, which supports families in crisis across the three boroughs, has seen consistently high demand for its services over the last three years - a sign of the continuing pressure on parents. 

Home-Start volunteers provide emotional and practical support to families (Image supplied)

The study, based on responses from 300 families supported by local Home-Starts across London, found: 

• 86% of families say money worries are making parenting harder. 
• 81% feel stressed and anxious due to money worries. 
• Single parents are struggling with the cost of living. 54% of single parents struggle to afford essentials like food and nappies (compared to 39% of two parent families). 

 Families receiving just two hours a week of Home-Start's volunteer support, which gives families practical help and listening support at home or in small groups, report: 

• 91% say their mental health has improved 
• 84% feel better able to support their child's development 

The study highlights the experiences of parents raising young children in London and the impact that support can make: 

• "The staff and volunteers are great with the children and give lots of really good advice." - Parent/care, Richmond 
• "I received a lot of help from the one-to-one visit. She helped us improve our lives and feel less lonely and more cheerful." - Parent/carer, Kingston 
• "Home-Start are brilliant... they have changed the experience of parenthood for the better." - Parent/carer, Hounslow 
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Cristiana Camisotti, CEO of Home-Start Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow, said: "We're seeing families coming to us overwhelmed by the pressure of simply trying to get by.

"Our volunteers offer a lifeline - helping parents feel less alone, more able to cope and more able to focus on their children." 

Across Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow, over 100 local volunteers offer weekly home visits and small group sessions to around 300 local families. 

Ava, a volunteer who has worked with Home-Start RKH for three years, said: "Being a Home-Start volunteer is incredibly rewarding. Just knowing you've helped a parent feel heard or made a tough day a little easier - that's what it's all about." 

Home-Start Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow is actively recruiting new volunteers to help families in our community.