Help Families Thrive in Epping Forest District

Aim

Weekly support group helping families with under-5s. Urgent funding needed to keep this service running for those facing challenging times

This campaign is match funded, meaning that every donation up to the sum of £250 will be doubled by the Aviva Foundation!

A donation of £30 becomes £60, a donation of £250 becomes £500!

About us
At Home-Start Essex, our vision is for every child and young person in Essex to grow up in a family that is strong, resilient and able to access support when and where it is needed. We believe every child deserves the best possible start in life, and that begins with a safe, stable and financially secure home environment.

Financial pressures can place enormous strain on families, affecting parents’ wellbeing, confidence and ability to provide consistent care for their children. We support families with children aged 0–5 who are facing significant challenges, including poverty, debt, housing insecurity, poor mental health, isolation and limited access to opportunities. By helping families improve their financial wellbeing alongside emotional resilience, we enable children to thrive in more stable and nurturing homes.

The Family Support Group

We are raising urgent funds for our Family Support Group based at the Hazelwood Family Hub in Waltham Abbey, within the Epping Forest District. Over a 12-month period, the group will support 20 vulnerable families experiencing financial hardship and complex life challenges. Many of the families we work with are struggling with the rising cost of living, debt, unemployment, housing instability and poor mental health, all of which can have a lasting impact on children’s development and family wellbeing.

The group provides a safe and welcoming environment where parents can access practical financial guidance, emotional support and peer connection. Families are supported to build confidence in managing household finances, improve budgeting skills, reduce financial stress and develop greater resilience for the future.

All staff are fully trained to deliver the Healthy Happy Homes Finance module, ensuring families receive consistent, practical and informed support around financial wellbeing. Families taking part in the programme complete an online money management module designed to improve financial confidence and understanding of everyday budgeting.

Each week, families work alongside staff to complete and review household budget sheets, helping them track spending, identify savings opportunities and set realistic financial goals. Sessions also include guidance on bank accounts, savings options and financial planning. We invite banking professionals and financial contacts to attend sessions and talk to families about available incentives, savings schemes and ways to access financial support safely and confidently.

Each week we will encourage families to make smarter financial choices through practical activities and peer learning. Families take part in challenges focused on reducing shopping bills, comparing prices and making informed purchasing decisions. Parents are encouraged to share money-saving ideas, budgeting tips and shopping strategies with one another, helping to build confidence and reduce isolation through shared experiences.

We also promote early financial awareness for children through simple money counting exercises and age-appropriate activities that encourage learning around numbers, saving and the value of money within the family environment.

For many parents, the group is also a vital source of connection and encouragement during periods of crisis and isolation.

 “The family group was the first time I had properly talked to a group of adults since leaving the refuge nearly a year ago. It was good to listen to other people's views, to open up about my anxiety and share tips.”

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are raising funds to ensure this vital Family Support Group can continue to operate. Without funding, the group faces the very real risk of closure, leaving vulnerable families without access to critical financial and emotional support during a time of increasing hardship. The group directly improves the financial wellbeing of families by equipping parents with practical knowledge, tools and confidence to better manage their finances and plan for the future. 

Through our Healthy Happy Homes Finance programme, staff and trained volunteers provide support including:

• Improving financial wellbeing and confidence 
• Talking openly about budgeting and money management 
• Managing debt and understanding credit 
• Accessing financial guidance and support services 
• Building financial resilience and planning ahead 
• Making informed spending decisions and prioritising essential needs
• Reviewing weekly household budgets and spending habits
• Encouraging savings and discussing banking options
• Supporting families to reduce food and shopping costs through price comparison and budgeting challenges
• Building confidence through peer support and shared learning

By strengthening financial capability, the group helps families reduce stress, improve stability and feel more in control of their circumstances. This practical financial guidance and learning, combined with emotional wellbeing support, creates healthier families, stronger parent-child relationships and improved long-term outcomes for children.

Between April 2024 and March 2025, we supported families experiencing stress due to family conflict (much of this relating to debt and money worries), resulting in a 100% improvement after attending the group. Our financial guidance and support helped families better manage their household budgets, with an 83% improvement in this area. 

How we will spend the money raised
We promise that every penny raised will be used directly to deliver the group.

A total of £11,432.54 will be used to pay our fully qualified staff to deliver the group. An additional £249.75 will cover ongoing finance training for staff and volunteers, while £195 will provide healthy, nutritious snacks for children and families. £295 will go towards finance resource packs and £200 will be used to promote the project and raise awareness within the community.

Please donate to this match funding campaign and help us continue to run the Family Group. Donations up to the sum of £250 are match funded and doubled by the Aviva Foundation.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 17th July 2026 at 4:25pm