Families and children to receive vital support thanks to Leicestershire Freemasons’ grant for Home-Start Horizons

Families with young children across Leicestershire and Rutland will receive vital support thanks to a grant from Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons to the Home-Start Horizons charity.

The £15,000 grant will support Home-Start Horizons’ family groups and wider work with families and children. The funding will enable the charity to continue providing early help, practical support and emotional guidance to parents facing a range of challenges.

Home-Start Horizons works alongside families with young children, offering compassionate, non-judgemental support at times when they need it most. Through its family groups and one-to-one support, the charity helps parents build confidence, reduce isolation and create a positive, nurturing environment for their children.

The grant will make a difference by helping to sustain and develop group-based activities where parents and children can connect, learn and grow together. These groups provide a safe and welcoming space for families to build supportive relationships, access advice, and strengthen their parenting skills, all while promoting children’s emotional, social and developmental wellbeing.

Home-Start Horizons’ wider work with families and children, ensures that those experiencing difficulties such as poor mental health, isolation, financial pressures or lack of support can access timely help before problems escalate.

The charity has a skilled Early Help staff team and recruits and trains volunteers to work within their communities, supporting families and children to help give them the best start in life.

The grant from Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.

Stuart Sullivan, CEO at Home-Start Horizons, said:

“We’re extremely grateful to Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons for this generous grant. It will help us continue our vital work with families and children, particularly through our family groups, which play a crucial role in reducing isolation and building resilience. Early support can have a lasting impact, and this funding will help ensure families feel supported, confident and connected.”

Steve Skidmore from Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons, said:

“We’re very pleased to support Home-Start Horizons and the important work they do with families and children. Strong, supported families are the foundation of healthy communities, and this grant will help ensure parents and children can access the help they need at the right time.”

Pictured: Steve Skidmore from Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons chats to the volunteers at Home-Start about the impact the grant will have on the family groups and volunteers at the centre.