About Home- Start Wakefield & District
Support for families
Home-Start Wakefield & District offers befriending support along with practical and emotional advice in the homes of families with children from conception up to 12 years of age, who are having difficulties managing parenting for a variety of different reasons.
Home-Start Wakefield has been providing support to families through volunteer home-visiting, groups and events since 1990.
We serve the whole of the Wakefield District. Please get in touch with us to find out how Home-Start can help you and your family. Tel: 01924 251205
What we do
Being a parent has never been easy. It can be lonely, frustrating, heart-breaking and overwhelming. All parents struggle at one time or another. For some, the challenges can be greater. You are not alone.
Home-Start’s volunteers work alongside families just like yours to give compassionate and confidential support. We help people to regain the confidence to be the parents they want to be.
The support Home-Start volunteers give is non-judgemental, compassionate and confidential. We work with you to build on your strengths and give you the support that you tell us that you need.
We also offer support to Dads in the area – check out our Dad Matters Page:
Who we are
Home-Start Wakefield is managed by a board of volunteer trustees.
Our trustees serve on the governing board and are responsible for directing the management and administration of the charity.
They have a wide range of duties and are responsible for making the charity effective, providing overall direction and maintaining sound management of funds.
Janet Walter – Chair of Trustees
“Janet is Chair of the Trustees and has been a Trustee for four years.
She is a Home visiting volunteer and worked as a National Director in the NHS before retiring.
A mum of two, she also has two grandchildren; three step-grandchildren and nine nieces and nephews. She loves spending time with family and friends.”
Sarah Millns – Vice Chair of Trustees
“Sarah joined Home Start as a volunteer in 2016 having read about the incredible support it offers young families in my area. In 2019 she become a Trustee and was appointed Deputy Chair in 2023.
She has over 20 years experience in marketing and communication roles, working in small business and large global FTSE100 companies. While she still works as a consultant in this field, largely on the project management side, She also runs her own property development and management company, so day to day life is quite varied.
Away from the work environment she enjoys travelling both near and far, walking, enjoying good food and catching up with family and friends. phews. She loves spending time with family and friends.”
Jenny Widdowson – Treasurer
“Jenny is a high school Maths teacher, previously worked for Lloyds bank where she was an inspirational motivator and bank manager.
She joined the trustee board in 2016 and became treasurer in 2023
Karron Zelei – Safeguarding Lead of Trustee Board
I joined the Trustee Board in 2015 and took the role of the Trustee Safeguarding Lead in 2016. I have worked in various roles throughout my career including early years, education and early intervention & prevention.
I joined Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership in 2016 as their training and development lead and has recently been delivering multi-agency training on safeguarding children.
I enjoy walking, traveling, and spending time with family
Liz Lynagh – Trustee
“Liz is a trustee having been the chair for 12 years , she decided to step back in 2022 but still brings her knowledge and expertise to the board.
She was a health visitor for over 30 years in the NHS before retiring, and enjoys doing charity work with her local Rotary Club and Soroptimists.
Nigel Storey – Trustee & Volunteer Representative
“My background is engineering then teaching. All from a Yorkshire perspective- whatever that is. I have only recently in 2023 joined the trustee team, but have been a family volunteer since 2019. Outside Home-Start I am active in Safeguarding activities- though primarily through church activities and providing training. I and my wife run a small toddler group (not Home-Start) and transfer this experience and that of bringing up 2 children (now adults) to the Home-Start purpose. Interests include technical projects (some incomplete!) and industrial archology (especially steam trains).
Jane Hall – Trustee
“Jane is a Trustees and has been a Trustee since 2022
Jane sits on our Prosper grant panel, which gives small grants for items families need across the district. (No cash Is given out)
Could you be a Trustee
Could you use your experience to help support the scheme and the families of Wakefield?
If you are interested and would like to know more please ring or email Hazel for a no obligation chat.”
Staff Team
Hazel Bell – Manager
I was a Home visiting volunteer from 1991 for 12 years before working for the scheme as a coordinator in 2001. Due to funding cuts in 2015 I took over as senior and have strived to keep the service running and growing ever since.
A mum of three from a very young age, I now also have one stepson, five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren and four great nieces and nephews. I love having family days and getting everyone together and spending time with both family and friends.
Amanda Brookes – Operational Manager
I began volunteering for Home Start Wakefield in 2002; in 2003 I started working for Home Start Leeds as a Coordinator within the Sure Start Burley team.
In 2009 I moved to Home Start Wakefield as a Coordinator until leaving in 2015 due to funding constraints. I joined the Step up to Social Work programme and qualified as a Social Worker in 2017.
I came back to Home Start Wakefield and ran the Maximising Income Programme whilst I was looking for a social work role but never left (it’s such a great place to work).
I became a Coordinator again, and as the scheme grew took on the role of Operational Manager in 2022.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
Kolleen Jefferson – Office Manager
I am Office Manager for Home-Start Wakefield and District. I started in April 2024 after working in education. I oversee the volunteers who work in the office, I deal with Finance, day to day running of the office and the upkeep of the website & social media. I also support the Scheme Manager and Operational Manager when required.
Away from work I am a rugby mum and Events Coordinator/Presenter for a local radio station! I like to keep myself busy!!
Marie Carbutt – Coordinator
Before joining Home-Start, I completed a degree in Early Years Education and worked for 30yrs in a small primary school in Leeds. During this time, I was a home visiting volunteer supporting families across the West of the Wakefield district. I also sat on the trustee board as the volunteer representative.
I then joined the Home-Start team as coordinator in April 2019 and haven’t looked back. Being part of a team dedicated to making a difference to families across Wakefield is both enjoyable and rewarding.
Outside of Home-Start I have a husband and two grown up sons who keep me entertained with the band they formed together
Danielle Nettleton- Coordinator
I joined Home-Start as a volunteer in 2019 and I was lucky enough to be able to take up a work experience placement in March 2021 within the team. I was kept on and became a coordinator, and have enjoyed every minute. Within my role I case hold families and oversee the support they get from our lovely volunteer befrienders. No two days are the same which I love!
Outside of work I love spending time with my two children, extended family and friends. I also love a good documentary, going for walks and to the gym.
Joanne Hartshorne (Jo) – Perinatal Support
I joined HSWD in November 2022 as the Children’s Health Advocate. Since January 2024 I am a Perinatal Mental Health Worker and I’m enjoying helping parents with children aged 0-2, who need either practical and/or emotional support. Before Home Start, I was a teacher for 25years, so it is lovely that my present role enables me to continue supporting families but on a more personal level.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, as well as listening to music and audio books.
Laura Simpkins – Family Engagement Worker
I have been Family Engagement Worker at Home-Start Wakefield since September 2024. Within my role I support families with young children through challenging times and offer the practical and emotional support they require.
I worked as a teacher in Primary schools for 14 years prior to starting my role at Home-start. Outside work I volunteer for Families and Babies (FAB) as a Breastfeeding Peer Supporter.
Mark Boocock – Dad Matters Coordinator
Hi I’m Mark I have worked for Home Start for just over a year now. I work on two projects to support dads across the Wakefield district. Dad Matters, which supports dads from conception to two years, and Dads do it Differently, which supports dads of children 3 to 12 years.
Outside of work I watch Bradford City, play golf, collect vinyl records and love spending time with my family.
Sam Bustin – Family Group Leader
I joined home start in September 2024.
I run the stay and play groups alongside Becci, in the Wakefield and 5 towns area. I have worked in the childcare industry for the last 18 years.
I have four children of my own and love to go exploring in our free time and trips to the Seaside.
Becci Rickard – Family Group Leader
I started as a Family Group Leader for Home-Start in September 2024.
I have spent my whole working life promoting the holistic development of children under 5 and supporting families, in many different settings. I became a stay-at-home mum when we relocated to Yorkshire in 2018.
When I am not at work, I run the PTA at my children’s school, play rounders for a local team and I have two children and husband who keep me busy.
Harley Rose – Office Dog!
Hello I’m Harley Rose the HomeStart office dog, I’ve been working here for 3 years since I was a Pup. My main role here is it eat treats, wag my whippy tail give cuddles and bark at the people who want to come in with big boxes
I have lots of friends here and they are all very kind, Marie has a big box full of treats on her desk and I only need to give her my sad eyes and she gives me treats. Amanda is a funny lady she tells me to whisper bark, I’m not very good at that but I don’t really mind I don’t think she does either as she gives me treats too. Then there’s Sharon the office volunteer she always wants me to play out in the garden with her, sometimes it’s cold and rainy but I always do because mom says it’s nice to be kind, (also she keeps treats in her desk draw so I get a little reward for playing too). Other times when mom goes out to meetings and then Kolleen Lets me lie down in her office and go to sleep it usually nice and warm in there, but Kolleen doesn’t do treats, although sometimes I get a bit of her lunch.
Sometimes people go out of here all happy and then come back a little bit sad this is when I have to give them some of my little puppy love, hugs and cuddles. they get to feel better and sometimes I even get a special tummy rubs and an extra treat for being kind.
There are lots of people here Volunteers and visitors, and as Christmas is coming the meeting room which is usually boring is stacked full of wonderful things that smell delightful and delicious, I’m not allowed in there on my own right now, they keep telling me to stop sniffing and leave things for the children, when its busy I’m mostly OK but when I’ve had enough I go upstairs find Adrienne for a cuddle then lay in my office bed, out of the way.
It’s a lovely place to work here and if anybody needs any help or support, I would say just come to HomeStart because if they can’t help you, they will find you someone who can.
Please email admin@hswd.org.uk to request a copy of the referral form if you are experiencing problems with our online form.
We appreciate the form requests a lot of information; this is to comply with our funding requirements. Please complete it as fully as possible, as asking lots of questions on an initial contact can be a barrier to accessing services for some parents.
Home-Start is delighted to be working with The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood as an early adopter of their new animated short films that bring to life the science of early brain development.
These beautifully crafted, easy to understand videos explore the crucial role that early relationships and experiences play in shaping a child’s future. Covering everything from how the brain grows, to building resilience and supporting emotional wellbeing, the series offers invaluable insights for anyone supporting families with babies or young children, whether as a volunteer, early years practitioner or community leader.
At Home-Start, we know that parenting isn’t always easy. That’s why we’re delighted to be using these new resources to strengthen the support we offer to more than 50,000 families each year across the UK.
More information & Links on our dedicated page:
Our funders
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