We are a small, independent local charity but part of a UK-wide network of similar local Home-Start's with a central body, Home-Start UK. We currently have around 55 volunteers and supported 167 local families last year.We help families in the Guildford borough who have at least one child under 5, who are struggling to cope for a variety of reasons. Problems confronting these families range widely: eg- postnatal depression, isolation, illness or disability of child or parent, multiple births, bereavement, domestic or emotional abuse, family breakdown. About a third of our cases have complex needs. Our volunteers support the families with regular visits to their homes. Through their visits, the volunteers help parents find ways of coping better with their problems, build their confidence and encourage new parenting skills. In over 80% of cases we make a significant difference to the families through early intervention. We also run Family Groups for families at Pirbright army camp and on the Bellfields estate in Guildford. Our headline mission statement is 'There for parents when they need us most, because childhood can't wait'. We are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (no:1154609) which protects trustees from personal liabilities. Details of previous accounts etc are still available under the charity number above.We are part of Home-Start Surrey, a consortium of all Surrey Home-Starts, which has a contract with Surrey County Council.