Donate Today - Because Childhood Can't Wait
Donate Today - Because Childhood Can't Wait

How we help

How we help

Everyone needs a bit of help sometimes

Sometimes being a parent can be difficult – parents can feel exhausted and overwhelmed by everyday family life and additional stresses such as post-natal depression, illness, disability, separation, isolation or multiple births can make family life even more difficult. If there are no close family members or friends to turn to for help and encouragement it can be even tougher.

We are a charity that helps families with young children. Our friendly and caring volunteers understand the joys, frustrations and challenges of bringing up children. A volunteer visits a family at home once a week for 2-3 hours offering time, friendship, support, encouragement and practical help for as long as is needed. Our volunteers are all different ages and come from all walks of life but they are there to do one thing – offer a friendly helping hand to parents with young children, there really is no issue too small or insignificant.

Experienced charity

Everyone needs a bit of help sometimes

Home-Start Richmondshire is the UK’s leading family support charity and an organisation valued and trusted by families and professionals alike. We want every parent to have the support they need to give their children the best possible start in life. Hundreds of local schemes have been supporting families since 1973 and the breadth of expertise and knowledge gained over the years makes Home-Start what it is today.

Get our help
Get our help

What our volunteers do

Supporting every parent to be the best they can be…

  • Visit you every week for 2-3 hours in your home.
  • Listen, laugh or cry with you; always offering friendship, encouragement and reassurance.
  • Take you out; helping you to go out with the children, visit local places and have fun.
  • Help you find and access services that may be useful.

What our volunteers will not do

We like to keep things clear, open and honest…

  • Childmind/Babysit – volunteers can’t look after the children whilst you go out.
  • Take over or tell you what to do – volunteers are led by you as to how you would like to be supported.
  • Judge – volunteers are recruited for their ability to respect individuality and be non-judgemental.
  • Taxi service – volunteers are happy to help you to go out to places and attend appointments but they are not there just to offer transport.
  • Housework – if needed, volunteers can help you get on top of your house and can help to look after the children so that you can get on with jobs but they don’t do regular cleaning.

Family support

Parenting can be tough at the best of times. You need friendship, encouragement, reassurance and practical help during the early years, when children are young.

Learn more
Learn more

Areas we cover

We support right across Richmondshire.

And everywhere in-between!

If in doubt if you are in our area, please contact us and we can advise you.

Contact Us
Contact Us

Sue McVay

I joined Home-Start Richmondshire as manager in June 2023. Previous to that, I worked in the Early Years sector, operationally and strategically, for over 30 years.

I am passionate about supporting parents to give children the best possible start in life and believe that Home-Start Richmondshire has the knowledge, experience and understanding to deliver this through the staff team and network of volunteers.

Emma Felinski

I recently joined HSR as a coordinator, in April 2025 after working as a support worker for many years. I am enjoying my role, supporting families through challenging times. I have spent time overseas, including New York, Paraguay, Cyprus and Germany. While working overseas In Paraguay South America I worked with children and families living in poverty. This was an experience that was very rewarding, and my passion to support people continues. I love to travel the world and experience different cultures. I also enjoy hiking, with my two dogs, wild swimming and spending time with my children.

Jill Sinaguglia

I joined Home Start Richmondshire as a coordinator in July 2023.  I’ve had a varied career working as a radio presenter and journalist, running my own chocolate business and as a children and families’ social worker. I have three children and have found parenting to be a wonderful but sometimes scary and challenging journey.  I am passionate about getting alongside families who are struggling.  I know sometimes you just need a bit of encouragement to keep going or reassurance that you are doing it right!  I love that at Home Start we can do just that, and it is a privilege to support and empower families to reach their goals.  In my spare time I enjoy reading, visiting coffee shops and exploring new places.

Andrew Terry

My professional background was in children’s services, initially as a secondary school teacher and then leading teams of specialist staff for North Yorkshire Council. I retired in 2015 from the post of Assistant Director, Access and Inclusion, the service which works with and for schools and the parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities. For a time, I also managed the education social work service and the looked after children’s service.

I volunteered at the Friarage Hospital for 8 years until 2023, mainly with elderly patients and now help in the community.

I believe that the early years of a child’s life are vital to their wellbeing and prospects at school and beyond, and that a stable family life is crucial. Coming from a very large family, I have personal experience of the challenges that strained domestic life can bring and I joined Home Start Richmondshire in January 2022 to play a part in helping parents and carers when they ask for additional support.

Sian Moore

I am local to Richmondshire, attending primary and secondary schools in the area.

I have worked in Local Government in North Yorkshire for more than 35 years. My main interest was in Finance, acting as the Statutory Finance Officer for approximately 15 years. I also oversaw the finance aspects of major projects including the Allerton Park waste disposal facility and fire service training centre.

I held responsibility for HR, property, IT, Council tax, business rates and housing benefits.

Since retiring in 2023 I am studying for an MSc in Psychology, which I juggle with family responsibilities.

Tad Zaranko

I have worked for thirty six years in education, as a senior leader in three secondary schools, including one as a Headteacher.

I am a school improvement partner for two local authorities and a consultant support for the development of mathematics in small rural schools.

I am also a consultant on the ‘Building Schools for the Future’ Programme and an LA. Education lead in a HMP. Section leader in a Further Education College.

Currently a Governor of a Primary School on the Garrison for 15 years including 10 years as chair of the governing board.

I joined Home-Start Richmondshire as a Trustee in January 2022.

Daniel Bell

I read Law at Solent University and completed the professional exams at the College of Law (Guildford) before undertaking a career in intellectual property and commercial law with the Marcol Group in London.  I was commissioned into the ETS in 2010 and served with 1WG on AT4 and Op HERRICK 16 in 2011.  Took command of Arnhem Platoon, Jackson Coy at ATC(P) in 2012 before being selected in 2014 to undertake a comprehensive program of modernisation, organisational restructuring, and course re-design at RMAS as OiC Coaching Advisory Team. In 2016 having completed an MSc in Education and Innovation, I took command of the Training Management Cell at the Defence SERE Training Organisation in RAF St Mawgan.

Following that, I managed the delivery of a high profile and value training transformation project as SO3 Training Advisor to the Saudi Arabian National Guard Communications Project in 2018. Before attending ICSC(L) and returning to the Middle East as SO2 Military Education Advisor to the Kuwait MOD in 2019 and, subsequently, as the SO1 in 2020. 

I have various interests, including being a CPSA shooting coach, an ARA rowing coach, triathlete, climber, surfer and amateur motorbike and car restorer.  I am married to Seana with 3 children and 1 dog; Gabriel (8), Niamh (7), Sonny (1) and Seamus the Border Collie (14).  

I joined Home-Start Richmondshire as a Trustee in January 2022.