Charity | Posted on November 3rd, 2025 | return to news

Home-Start Wessex supports women and girls in Dorset

The charity raised £5,068 during the Big Give Women and Girls Match Fund 2025, enabling it to continue its life-changing work.

Home-Start Wessex has raised £5,068 to help women and girls thrive across Dorset during the Big Give Women and Girls Match Fund 2025.

The charity supports mothers in crisis, facing mental health struggles, financial hardship, isolation, bereavement, domestic abuse, multiple births, parenting challenges, and life in homeless shelters, providing vital help when it is needed most. Of the 526 families supported by Home-Start Wessex last year, 523 were mums supported as the key parent, and more than half of those were single mums. 59 per cent of the 980 children supported were girls.

Big Give match-funding campaigns offer charities a unique opportunity to double their impact. The Women and Girls Match Fund is a seven-day online match-funding campaign that aims to empower women and girls charities, a group that receives only 1.8 per cent of UK grants from Trusts and Foundations, driving greater support and recognition for their vital projects. Every donation in the qualifying week is doubled, meaning individual generosity goes twice as far and makes double the difference.

When mothers are in crisis, their children are deeply affected — especially during the crucial first 1001 days. Without support, the emotional and psychological impact can last a lifetime. Home-Start Wessex is there to change that, providing emotional support for mums that improves mental health, builds resilience, and helps women face challenges, while children’s activities bring joy and stability.

As this mum, supported by Home-Start Wessex, said: “Being able to get out and have someone to chat to has been life-changing. I feel more confident. Without Home-Start Wessex, I would still be depressed. I am still coming to group, and I have got the foundations now and can continue to grow from there.”

Kathy Fryatt-Banks, CEO of Home-Start Wessex, said, “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who donated during the Big Give Women and Girls Match Fund Week and helped us reach our target of £5,000. The money will enable us to continue our life-changing work with women and girls in Dorset.

“Everyone who pledged has helped support local women and girls to build confidence, strength, and brighter futures. Their gift could help a mum find her confidence again, support a family through tough times, and give young girls the future they deserve.”

Home-Start Wessex has been supporting women and families for 30 years. It provides tailored services, including specially trained volunteers visiting mums at home, early intervention for high-needs families, and community-based groups. The charity currently run 13 drop-in and referral-only groups across Dorset, including two for homeless mums in hostels.

Over the last year, Home-Start Wessex has transformed 1,716 lives, helping a record 526 families. Their reach covers the Purbecks, Swanage, Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport, the entire BCP Council area (Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch), extending across the borders of Hampshire and Wiltshire, going as far north as Cranborne and Fordingbridge and as far east as New Milton. This is a vast area with a population of over 650,000, including many pockets of significant deprivation.

Home-Start Wessex is actively recruiting kind, compassionate volunteers to offer emotional and practical support to parents with young children across Dorset. If you could spare a few hours a week to help local families through challenging times and make a difference in your community, please contact office@homestartwessex.org.uk. No experience is needed — just a big heart and a listening ear, as full training and ongoing support are provided.