About Home-Start

Home-Start is a voluntary organisation committed to promoting the welfare of families with at least one child under five years of age.

Who we are

Home-start Falkirk began operating in Denny in January 2000. From those early beginnings we have now expanded our reach across the whole Falkirk council area. Until 2019 we operated as Home-Start Falkirk West but have now changed our name to Home-Start Falkirk to reflect this expansion.

We have a staff team of ten based at our office in Denny.

We offer befriending support along with practical and emotional advice in the homes of families who are having difficulties managing parenting for a variety of different reasons, we also offer group support for families throughout the area.

What we do

For many years, we have worked across communities to provide support for families with young children who are facing difficulties.

We have long-term experience in family support and are established as one of the leading charities working in this field in the community.

Our impact within the local communities we serve is far reaching, aiding reduction in isolation and loneliness, improving mental health of adults and children, improving educational attainment, building healthy relationships, supporting more nurturing environments and improving the wellbeing of parents.

With our focus on empowerment and resilience, we assist families to become self-reliant, confident and connected.

Areas we cover

We support families across the Falkirk Council area.

“Home-Start raises self-confidence, improves social networks, reduces difficult behaviour on the part of the child and improves mental and physical health” – Every Child Matters Government Green Paper.

Case studies

Family A – case study

This family joined Home-Start Falkirk 26th May 2023, with low mental health, post-natal depression and was seeking support to help relate to other...

Family B – case study

The family were referred to us in late December 2023 and we were able to visit within a month to discuss the needs of the family. Mum was feeling...

Family C – case study

This family were first referred to us in May 2022. Both parents were experiencing mental health difficulties such as anxiety, low mood, isolation...

Family D – case study

This family have four children. They have been with Home Start Falkirk for just over a year and value the care and support from the “amazing staff ,...

Family E – case study

This Family were referred by their health visitor as mum was reluctant to leave the house and suffered from very high levels of anxiety. Her only...

Projects

Over many years, we have developed more specialist projects or integrated specialist skills into our staff and volunteer teams, including learning in the early years, Incredible Years, Triple P and Positive Parenting. Find out more below:

Buggy Walks

We host buggy walks in various places throughout Falkirk. This varies from season to season so please check our Facebook page for the latest...

Additional Support Needs (ASN)

ASN Adult Peer Support:Our ASN peer support for adults is a group which runs on a Friday morning at Myotview nursery and is available as a drop-in....

Baby Massage

Baby massage is a 45 minutes group over 5 sections providing the benefits listed below. Bonding and attachment Digestion issues, constipations and...

Solihull

Our Solihull approach is a free 10 week parenting course. The group is focused on: Understanding your child's behaviour. Supporting parent/child...

Weekly Groups

At Home-Start Falkirk we run two types of groups. Our closed family groups are in Falkirk town centre and Denny. They are for parents and children...

S.W.A.G (Social Wellbeing Adult Group)

Our S.W.A.G group is designed to improve the mental health and wellbeing of adults. This group is available to all adults we support and runs for...

Our Leadership Team

Our leadership team are responsible for the delivery of our services and strategy.

Together, they ensure we’re here for families when they need us most, that our volunteers are trained and supported and that our service remains effective, reaching as many in our communities as possible.

Sharon Frederiksen - Manager

Sharon leads our service overall, reporting directly to the Board. Sharon joined Home-Start Falkirk in March 2024 having previously worked for 13 years in the third sector supporting children and families within West Lothian. Sharon has extensive Operational and Regional management experience from her 20yr retail career, she is certified in COSCA, Reiki and Indian head Massage.

Sharon works on the implementation of our strategy, creating and maintaining strategic connections & relationships while ensuring our work integrates with local and national priorities. Sharon is responsible for our relationship with the wider Home-Start network in Scotland and UK.

Chin San Lee (Anson) - Office Administrator

Anson began his role at Home-Start Falkirk in January 2025 after relocating to Scotland from Hong Kong. Anson has a degree in Accounting and studying towards ACCA. Anson has experience in office management and good at socializing. Anson is a very positive and optimistic person, always friendly and easy to approach.

Anson handles all administrative support for the manager, board and team and is based in our office in Denny.

Caroline Thom - Volunteer Support Co-ordinator

Caroline joined Home-Start Falkirk in February 2022. Caroline has a degree in Law and volunteers with Guide dogs for the blind.

Having previously worked as a Group Worker and Family Support Co-ordinator, Carolines current role of Volunteer Support Co-ordinator involves all the recruitment, selection, support and training of our volunteers. This is a key role within our organisation as our volunteers support families in their own homes or within the groups each week. Caroline works in partnership with various agencies throughout Falkirk to help get the best support for our families and volunteers. Caroline also helps to deliver our Solihull Parenting program.

Erin Brooks – Senior Family Support Co-ordinator

Erin joined Home-Start Falkirk in September 2018. Erin has a degree in Social Studies and is currently studying for her COSCA certification.

Erin leads the team of Family Support Co-ordinators, managing family support from initial referrals through to visitations and reviews. Erins role is about making sure each family gets the right support from our team and volunteers while working in partnership with external agencies to help families to thrive. Erin delivers our Solihull Parenting program and the helps with our Volunteer Prep course.

Maxine Irvine - Family Support Co-Ordinator

Maxine Joined Home-Start in July 2023. Max has a degree in Sociology & Social Policy. Max has 2 dogs and a very active family life.

Max supports families from initial referrals through to visitations and reviews. Max helps to make sure each family gets the right support from our team and volunteers while working in partnership with external agencies to get families the right help. Max is also involved in delivering some of our Parenting and volunteer programs.

Pamela McMillan - Family Support Worker

Pamela (Pam) joined Home-Start Falkirk in October 2018. Pams previous experience has been in Home-Care Support. Pam is keen on camping, fishing and ways to help and improve mental health.

Having previously worked as our Senor Group Worker, Pam’s current role involves a more rapid response to family support while families are waiting on a volunteer match. Pam works 1 to 1 one with parents in their own homes, delivers our Adult Group Project and helps to facilitate the NHS Thrive program and our Solihull Parenting program.

Marie McNicol - Family / Group Support Worker

Marie joined HS in Nov 2024 through Employment Training Unit work program. She has taking on and developed a new telephone support role with us, which we hope to continue this year. Marie also helps run our weekly Bo’ness wee totties group with Nicole and is a welcome addition to our team.

Pamela Cardwell - Senior Group Worker

Pamela joined Home-Start Falkirk in March 2022. Pamela has a degree in Fine Art and volunteers running her local Rainbows group.

Initially Pamela joined us as a Group Worker and was promoted to the Senior role in 2023. Pamelas role is to manage and oversee the Group Workers and organise and facilitate the running of the Family Groups and Events throughout the Falkirk area. Pamela and her team support families and children though creating diverse and interesting themes each week taking care to be inclusive and help parents and children with bonding and developmental stages.

Nicole Barr - Group Support Worker

Nicole joined Home-Start Falkirk in August 2023. Nicole has a degree in Physiotherapy and Business Management. Nicole lived in America for 5 years, runs a charity in Malawi helping children to access education and volunteers running a youth group with her local church.

As part of our Family Group team, Nicole helps to devise, create and deliver our program of events and activities while supporting our families and children through play and bonding experiences. Nicole also delivers our Adult Group project and helps support our group volunteers.

Lynsey Paterson - Group Worker

Lynsey joined Home-Start Falkirk in March 2023. Lynsey’s previous experience is in ELC and Social Services, she is also a Fitness Instructor for a local group in Denny.

As part of our Family Group team, Lynsey helps to devise, create and deliver our program of events and activities while supporting our families and children through play and bonding experiences.

Our trustees

Our Board of Trustees, like other volunteers, give their time and experience to make our organisation the best it can be.

Our Board is responsible for setting the direction of our organisation, strategic decisions, governance, legal compliance and leadership. Working closely with the Manager and the staff, Trustees are essential to the operation of our charity.

Anyone interested in bringing their skills and experience to our Board is invited to make contact with our Chair to discuss any opportunities or to express an interest in future vacancies: info@hsfalkirk.org.uk

Anne Hemfrey - Chair

Anne’s career was spent in Strategic Planning, firstly in Local Government and then in aviation. Anne joined Home-Start Falkirk as a Home Visiting Volunteer in 2017 and joined the Board in 2018. She was appointed Chairperson in July 2019.

Anne is also an Appointed Member of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and a Lay Member of the Law Society’s Client Protection Fund.

Nicola McEwan - Treasurer

Nicola McEwan has over 30 years of experience working within the management of hospitality sites with both wholesale and retail operations. Within the last seven years, Nicola has been employed within the third sector as a finance professional. Having completed her BAcc Accounting with Honors is now studying towards her ACCA qualification.

Moyra McKeand - Trustee

Moyra is one of our longest standing trustees and volunteered with Home-Start Falkirk since 2003, Moyra took on the role of Treasurer from 2003 until September 2024.

Moyra still remains on the board as a trustee.

Over the years she has worked as an accountant mainly in the education sector and has experience in both the private sector and public bodies.

She has fulfilled the role of Treasurer whilst working full time and found the experience gained invaluable throughout her own career.

Lynnor Byers - Trustee

Lynnor started volunteering with Home-start in May 2023, and joined the board of trustee in October 2023.

Lynnor has worked for several large corporate companies at managerial level over the years and now works from home as a therapist. Lynnor brings a wealth of knowledge and lived experience gained while bringing up a blended family, Studying Psychology, Child development and Counselling at university. Lynnor has attained a Postgraduate in Counselling skills and Humanities as well as a degree in Social Science.

Lynnor found that the key to juggling family, work and study is support. She knows only too well the importance of family and the benefits of having support and a helping hand. Lynnor’s ethos is that Child development in the early years is significant in nurturing our young of today and opening doors to others to receive that support is key.

Vacancies

Trustee

Become a trustee

Where: Falkirk

Commitment Required: Approximately 5-8 hours a month

Training provided: Yes

About:

Becoming a Trustee is one of the most powerful ways you can contribute to your local community whilst utilising and building a wealth of skills. We have around 1,000 trustees based in every local Home-Start across the UK. As independent charities, local Home-Starts require trustees to serve on their governing body (board), taking responsibility for directing the management of the organisation and leading on strategy. It is a fantastic opportunity to volunteer and support your local community whilst also developing your skillset in the workplace.

Requirements of the role:

In order to be a trustee, you will be required to:

attend, and prepare for, a minimum of 8 meetings per year (more may be required, check with the local Home-Start you want to support)
undergo a criminal record check at an enhanced level
undergo a selection process as outlined by the local Home-Start
commit to the legal and financial responsibilities of the role, as outlined by the local Home-Start

Training and support:

Trustees are fully inducted into Home-Start before beginning their new role; they will receive:

an online welcome event and e-learning, introducing Home-Start’s service and your responsibilities
paid expenses
access to Home-Start’s intranet – full of information and guidance on running a local Home-Start
the support of specialist staff at Home-Start UK
Additional training may be provided by the local Home-Start

For more information on this role you can contact us on 01324 829444 or email us info@hsfalkirk.org.uk