Family Start stories
Stories illustrating the difference Family Start makes in the lives of vulnerable families.
Debbie - helps me be straight up
In her late 30s, pregnant with her second child, hooked on drugs and dealing with the loss of her mum and nana, Debbie Brown* realised it was time to change. "I just didn't know how to until I came across Family Start."
Just before giving birth to her second child, Debbie asked for assistance and was referred to Family Start in Auckland.
"The support and honesty was awesome," Debbie says. "The big turnaround for me was them saying, you want us to help you… you have to help yourself."
Family Start came to Debbie's house every week. Over the next few years, her Family Start worker helped Debbie gain self-confidence, referred her to drug support services, taught her about her baby's development and gave ongoing support with her parenting.
Jenny - Parenting isn't scary anymore
Family Start has been part of 20-year-old Jenny's* life since her daughter was born. Now six months on, Jenny and Ruby are enjoying the benefits of Family Start support.
"I think my daughter's doing well because of Family Start," Jenny says. "My Family Start worker helps me understand the stages of development that she will go through. And I'm learning what it takes to be a good parent for my child. The support I receive makes all the difference."
As well as being an in-home support for Jenny, Family Start put Jenny in touch with a group that would support her with breastfeeding.
"I love Family Start. They come around every week, give me great support and advice and even involve me in other activities. I now run a coffee group for 18 other mums. We organise presentations and recently had a nurse talk about immunisations."
* Names changed to protect privacy.
