How to get help from Home-Start
All parents struggle at one time or another. For some, the challenges can be greater. You are not alone.
Family Support (Home-Visiting) Service
for families with children 0-4 years
The Family Support (Home-Visiting) Service supports families living in the Borough of Croydon with at least one child under school age.
Support is provided by trained volunteers, usually parents themselves, who are carefully matched with families.
Once a family has been matched with a volunteer, the volunteer will visit for 2-3 hours once a week in the family’s home or local community. The volunteer will provide emotional support and practical assistance with things like parenting skills, routines, managing the things that are causing them stress, and accessing other services. We are able to offer support for up to 9 months from its start date. Please note, there may be a wait before we are able to match the family with a suitable volunteer.
Make a referral
The service takes referrals from professionals such as Health Visitors, Children’s Centres, Midwives, or GPs with consent of the family. If you think you would like support, please ask a professional to refer you. Unfortunately we are not currently able to accept self-referrals for this service but please feel free to contact us for a confidential chat about your situation.
If you are a professional wishing to refer a family to this service please complete the online referral form here or contact us on referrals@croydon-homestart.co.uk.
Unfortunately we are not able to support families where there is a child in need/child protection plan in place.
If you would like to speak to a Family Support Coordinator about a referral please contact Sharon on 07841 033 405 or Katie on 07841 033 415 or email them at referrals@croydon-homestart.co.uk
Watch Emma’s Story to find out more about the type of help a Family Support Volunteer can provide to a family.
Perinatal Support Service
for families during the perinatal period
The Perinatal Support Service is available to parents living in the borough of Croydon from their 21st week of pregnancy up to 9 months after the birth AND who are struggling with:
- Existing mild mental health challenges and/or parent-infant relationship needs
OR
- Are at risk of developing mild mental health challenges or parent-infant relationship needs due to prior mental health issues or other risk factors
Support is provided by trained volunteers with lived experience of the challenges faced by these parents. It will consist of 2-3 hour weekly visits in the parent’s home or local community, lasting for up to six months. Depending on the needs of the family the support may include:
- An empathetic and non-judgemental listening ear
- Support to prepare for parenthood
- Support to build confidence in parenting skills
- Support to develop a positive relationship with their infant
- Support to establish daily and weekly routines
- Support to take time for self-care
- Support to manage the things that are causing stress
- Support to access relevant services
- Support to access local green spaces
- Support to make connections with other parents
Make a referral
If you are a professional wishing to refer a family to this service please complete our referral form which can be found here or email us on pss@croydon-homestart.co.uk.
If you are a parent wishing to refer yourself to the Perinatal Support Service please contact us here or on pss@croydon-homestart.co.uk In some circumstances we are able to accept self-referrals for this service.
Unfortunately, we are not able to support parents who have moderate to severe mental health/parent-infant relationship issues or where there is an existing Child Protection Plan in place within the family.
Peer-Led Stay & Play Groups
Our peer-led stay & play groups are safe spaces for caregivers and children under 5 years to play and socialise. The groups are located in nursery schools, children’s centres, and other venues across the borough. You do NOT need a referral to attend these groups and you do NOT need pre-booking.
Welcome to our Stay and Plays (term time only)!
- Forest School Activities, Shirley Church Recreation Ground, Shirley Church Road, Croydon, CR0 5EN (by the tree area at the bottom of the park) – Monthly on MONDAYS 11.30am-12.30pm. Details and booking from lousief@croydon-homestart.co.uk.
- St Joseph’s Junior School, Woodend, Upper Norwood, SE19 3NU – TUESDAYS, 9:15am – 10:45am
- Thornton Heath Nursery School, 51 Pridham Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 8RS – TUESDAYS, 9:30am – 11:00am
- Old Lodge Lane Baptist Church, Reedham Park Avenue, Purley, CR8 4BQ – TUESDAYS, 9:45am – 11:15am
- Family Fun, Shirley Children’s Centre, 34 Lilac Gardens, Shirley, CR0 8NR – TUESDAYS, 10.30am – 12:00 midday
- Tollers Community Centre, 23 Jutland Gardens, Goodenough Way, Old Coulsdon, CR5 1DW – WEDNESDAYS, 9:30am – 11:00am
- Chill n Play, Babyzone / Legacy Youth Zone, 125 Whitehorse Road, CR0 2LG – THURSDAYS, 11:00am – 12:30pm
- Fairchildes Primary School, Fairchildes Avenue, New Addington, CR0 0AH – THURSDAYS, 1:45pm – 3:00pm
For further information or any questions, please contact us here or email the stay & play group coordinators on:
Louise – louisef@croydon-homestart.co.uk (North and Central Croydon groups)
Carly – carly@croydon-homestart.co.uk (South Croydon groups)
Stay and Play (Purley)
Free and friendly drop-in stay and play sessions for families. Open to all parents with babies and children under 5 years.
Day: Tuesdays (term-time only)
Time: 9.45am to 11.15am
Location: Old Lodge Lane Baptist Church, Reedham Park Avenue, Purley, CR8 4BQ
Contact: carly@croydon-homestart.co.uk
Stay and Play (Old Coulsdon)
Free and friendly drop-in stay and play sessions for families. Open to all parents with children under 5 years.
Day: Wednesdays (term-time only)
Time: 9.30am to 11am
Location: Tollers Community Centre, 23 Jutland Gardens, Goodenough Way, Old Coulsdon, CR5 1DW
Contact: carly@croydon-homestart.co.uk
Stroller Group (Central Croydon)
We know how socially isolating early motherhood can be so why not join us at our relaxed stroller group for mums and their babies.
*Please contact us to let us know you intend to come for the first time so we know to expect you.
Day: Mondays (closed for August)
Time: 11am
Location: Park Hill Recreation Ground (meet at the entrance on Fairfield Path).
*Contact: Katie – 07841 033 415 / katie@croydon-homestart.co.uk or Sharon – 07841 033 405 / sharon@croydon-homestart.co.uk
Family Fun (Shirley)
Come and join us for some fun stay and play activities for 0-5 year olds.
Day: Tuesdays (term time only)
Time: 10.30am-12noon
Location: Shirley Children’s Centre, 34 Lilac Gardens, Croydon CR0 8NR.
Contact: louisef@croydon-homestart.co.uk
Stay and Play (Upper Norwood)
Come and join us for some fun stay and play activities for 0-5 year olds in Upper Norwood.
Day: Tuesdays (term time only)
Time: 9.15am-10.45am
Location: St Joseph’s Junior School, Woodend, Upper Norwood, SE19 3NU
Contact: louisef@croydon-homestart.co.uk
Forest School (Shirley)
Come and Join us for some outdoor fun. This session is run by the brilliant Go Wild With Us UK and is suitable for families with children under 5 years.
Once a month on a Monday, 11.30am-12.30am.
If you’d like more information, and to book a place, please contact Louise on louisef@croydon-homestart.co.uk
Stay & Play (Thornton Heath)
Come and join us for some fun stay and play activities for 0-5 year olds.
Day: Tuesdays (term time only)
Time: 9.30am-11am
Location: Thornton Heath Nursery School, 51 Pridham Road, CR7 8RS
Contact: louisef@croydon-homestart.co.uk
Chill n Play @ Babyzone (Thornton Heath)
Come and join us at Chill n Play, a place for children 0-3 years and parents to play, share and make friends.
Day: Thursdays (term time only)
Time: 11am-12.30pm
Location: Upstairs at Babyzone, Legacy Youth Zone, 125 Whitehorse Road, Croydon, CR0 2LG.
Contact: louisef@croydon-homestart.co.uk
Stay and Play (New Addington)
Come and join us for some fun stay and play activities for 0-4 year olds in New Addington.
Day: Thursdays (term time only)
Time: 1.45 – 3.00pm*
*note change of time from September 2025
Location: Fairchildes Primary School, New Addington, CR0 0AH (Please report to reception)
Contact: carly@croydon-homestart.co.uk
Testimonials
Become a Home-Start Volunteer Today
Home-Start’s team of trained volunteers make sure a child’s early years count. By volunteering just a few hours each week you can transform the lives of young children and their parents in your community.