Home-Start Bradford District

Home-Start Bradford District We offer help to families when they need a bit of extra support. They work with the whole family, doing things with them, not to them or for them.

Home-Start Bradford District is an independent charity committed to promoting the welfare of families with young children and providing volunteer-led support in families’ own homes. Home-Start Bradford District supports families across the district who have at least one child under the age of 5 and have agreed to a volunteer. All our parents have recognised that parenting is a really hard job and

that they just need a little bit of help, an extra pair of hands, a bit of advice or simply another adult to off-load to. We've supported families who are struggling with a variety of issues including family breakdown, illness or disability, lack of confidence, loneliness, or simply lots of small children! Some of our families haven't had good role models and are struggling with the responsibilities of being a parent. Others have mental health problems and need the positive non-judgemental approach of our volunteers to help raise their self-esteem and remind them of the positives in their lives. Some of our families, despite their best efforts, simply can't get ahead and constantly feel they are fighting a losing battle. Our volunteers are patient and, in some cases, have been in a similar situation so can help parents see a way forward. In many cases the parents we support no longer enjoy being with their children, find it all too hard and don't know where to turn. A volunteer can bring the fun and love back into a family with kindness, patience and a good dose of humour.

01/09/2026

That’s a wrap on our Connecting Families summer groups!

Our final session had a last-minute change of location, but what a brilliant location it turned out to be - the new library at The Thornbury Centre!

We played outside with our giant parachute, went on a bear hunt, enjoyed a Teddy Bear Picnic and had lots of stories and rhyme time too!

A huge thank you to Yvonne and Kelly for all their help and support.

We’ve loved seeing the families enjoying the summer sessions – and we’ve had just as much fun!

That’s a wrap… until next time!

Lisa and Trudi x

28/08/2026

Are you school ready?

Check out what teachers are looking for when children start school via CBeebies Parenting

Ready to start something amazing?In just 3 weeks, our next Home-Start Bradford volunteer training begins and we would lo...
27/08/2026

Ready to start something amazing?

In just 3 weeks, our next Home-Start Bradford volunteer training begins and we would love you to join us!

If you’re interested in becoming a home-visiting volunteer, supporting families across the Bradford District, this could be the perfect opportunity to make a real difference.

📆 Thursday 17 September 2026 | 9:45am–2:00pm
📍 The Thornbury Centre, 79 Leeds Old Rd, Bradford, BD3 8JX

Volunteering could help you:

🧡 Learn new skills
💜 Boost your career opportunities
🧡 Strengthen your communication and interpersonal skills
💜 Improve your health and wellbeing
🧡 Build confidence
💜 Make a positive difference to a family’s life

As part of your training, you’ll learn about:

👍 Values, attitudes & communication
👍 Supporting parents and meeting children’s needs
👍 Confidentiality & diary sheets
👍 Safeguarding children

📞 Call us on 01274 666711
🌐 Find out more: https://homestartbradford.co.uk/thursday-17-september/

Come along, learn something new and become part of a team that helps families thrive.

Last Friday, our CEO Jessica Tizzard had the pleasure of joining BCB Radio  alongside Mohammed, our brilliant Dad Matter...
25/08/2026

Last Friday, our CEO Jessica Tizzard had the pleasure of joining BCB Radio alongside Mohammed, our brilliant Dad Matters Bradford Bradford Co-ordinator, to shine a light on the work we’re doing through Home-Start Bradford to support dads and families across our communities.

It was a fantastic opportunity to talk openly about why dads matter, the barriers some fathers can face when accessing support, and why creating welcoming, safe spaces where dads feel heard, understood and never judged is so important.

Mohammed spoke passionately about his work with dads and the relationships he is building within our communities. Sometimes, having someone who simply listens, understands and is there without judgement can make all the difference.

At Home-Start Bradford, we believe that supporting the whole family means including dads too. Every parent deserves to feel supported, valued and listened to.

A huge thank you to BCB Radio for inviting Jessica and Mohammed onto the show and giving us the opportunity to share more about Dad Matters Bradford.

🎧 Missed it? You can catch up online!

Head over to the BCB Radio website and look for the ‘Bradford & Beyond’ 4pm–6pm segment from Friday 21 August. We’re featured at around 19 minutes in!

Have a listen and let us know what you think. 💙

Week 3 of Connecting Families!Despite the rainy weather, we had another lovely session with our Connecting Families grou...
24/08/2026

Week 3 of Connecting Families!

Despite the rainy weather, we had another lovely session with our Connecting Families group last week!

We were joined by Rebecca from the BDCFT Oral Health Improvement Team, who chatted with our families and shared lots of helpful advice and tips on looking after little teeth. 🦷

Families also got to take home some goody bags to help put those tips into practice.

With the rain keeping us mainly indoors, we got creative with plenty of activities – including making some fabulous pasta jewellery!

A big thank you to Rebecca for joining us, and as always to our wonderful volunteers Ruth and Kelly for all their help and support.

Another lovely session of learning, playing and spending time together.

Could you make a real difference to a family in your community?We’re looking for new volunteers to join Home-Start Bradf...
19/08/2026

Could you make a real difference to a family in your community?

We’re looking for new volunteers to join Home-Start Bradford and become a home-visiting volunteer, supporting families across the Bradford District. 💜🧡

If you’re looking for a rewarding new experience, volunteering could be the start of something amazing!

You could:

🧡 Learn new skills
💜 Boost your confidence
🧡 Develop your communication and interpersonal skills
💜 Support your own health and well-being
🧡 Gain valuable experience to help with your career
💜 Make a real difference and put a smile on a family’s face

Our training will cover:

👍 Values, attitudes and communication
👍 Supporting parents and meeting children’s needs
👍 Confidentiality and diary sheets
👍 Safeguarding children

📆 Starting Thursday 17 September 2026, 9:45am–2:00pm
📍 The Thornbury Centre, 79 Leeds Old Rd, Bradford, BD3 8JX

Could this be the start of a fabulous new journey for you?

📞 Give us a call on 01274 666711 or find out more here:
https://homestartbradford.co.uk/thursday-17-september/

17/08/2026

Week 2 of our summer Connecting Families group!

What a lovely sunny day we had, with lots of outdoor play, laughter and fun!

We were delighted to have Lisa from 50 Things Bradford, with #8 Bubbles, join us today, and the giant bubbles were a huge hit! We’re just not sure who was having more fun - the children or the adults!

It was wonderful to see families chatting, getting to know each other, and parents joining in with the activities alongside their children.

A big thank you to our amazing volunteers Kelly, Yvonne and Ruth for helping make the session so special.

Here’s to another week of fun, connection and making memories together! 🧡

What a fantastic day at the Farcliffe Family Hub Bonanza!We had a lovely time meeting local families at this week’s even...
14/08/2026

What a fantastic day at the Farcliffe Family Hub Bonanza!

We had a lovely time meeting local families at this week’s event at Farcliffe Family Hub.

Our Mohammed and Lisa got creative with families making rice shakers, while also chatting to parents about the support available from Home-Start Bradford District and Dad Matters.

It was great to see the children enjoying the activity and to have the opportunity to tell more families about how we can support them.

A big thank you to the Bradford West Family Hub for having us and to all the families who came over to say hello and join in the fun! 😊

Here are a few photos from a brilliant day!

A Home-Start Bradford District volunteer’s journey begins with our Volunteer Preparation Course, which is delivered by o...
12/08/2026

A Home-Start Bradford District volunteer’s journey begins with our Volunteer Preparation Course, which is delivered by our team of volunteer co-ordinators.

Each week, the course covers a different topic to arm you with everything that you need to support a family with 0-5s in their own home - you will learn so much - not only about how to support others but also so much about yourself too!

Topics covered are:

🟪Welcome, Introduction and role
🟪Values & attitudes; Communication
🟪Supporting parents & meeting the needs of children
🟪Confidentiality and diary sheets
🟪Safeguarding children

In return for the gift of your time (typically 2-3hrs a week) you will:

🌟 Develop new skills
🌟 Improve interpersonal skills
🌟 Have better health and well-being
🌟 Have more self-confidence
🌟 Progress your career
🌟 Make new friends
🌟 Put a smile on someone’s face

Our next volunteer training course starts on Thursday 17 September 2026. Give us a ring today on 01274 666711.

Find out more here: https://homestartbradford.co.uk/thursday-17-september/

12/08/2026

It’s the solar eclipse later today!

If you haven’t got special eclipse sunglasses, have a go at making this pinhole camera/projector to safely view the solar eclipse via Twinkl Resources

Address

The Thornbury Centre, Leeds Old Road
Bradford
BD38JX

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+441274666711

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