Home-Start Wessex is delighted to have won the Best Place To Work award in the Wimborne Business Awards 2026. Organised by Marketing West, the Wimborne Business Awards recognise and reward local businesses and organisations that have made a significant contribution to the local area. The Best Place to Work Award recognises organisations that have created an outstanding workplace based on a set of values that have led to a committed, effective, and motivated workforce.
Home-Start Wessex offers friendship, practical support, and emotional advice to parents in Dorset with at least one child under five who are in crisis, providing specialist groups and one-to-one home visits. Supported families are struggling for a variety of reasons, including poor mental health, postnatal depression, disability, domestic abuse, bereavement, isolation, financial hardship and multiple births. Over the last year, the charity has transformed 1,716 lives, helping a record 526 families.
Judges commended Home-Start Wessex for their staff comments that outlined many reasons why they were worthy winners of the Best Place to Work Award. In a recent internal survey, staff and volunteers described Home-Start Wessex as “A truly amazing place to work” and commented “I love going to work, it is just the best place I’ve ever worked” and “I am very proud to be part of such an amazing organisation… I look forward to coming to work every day.”
Belinda Hewett, Head of Operations at Home-Start Wessex, said, “The work we do and the way we do it are life-changing for both local families and our team.
As this mum from Wimborne, supported by Home-Start Wessex, said: “Home Start Wessex have (and continue to be) a fantastic support and have helped me build my village… Silvia has been there for me in both practical ways; by supporting us to go swimming, giving me an opportunity to sort their clothes out and catch up on chores. But most importantly, she has been there for our family as a friend who listens and cares without judgment. Silvia has such warmth and positive energy, whilst being down-to-earth and humorous. Having her support has made such a difference to our family, and we will be forever grateful.”
We are incredibly proud to win this award, and I would like to dedicate it to our amazing volunteers who work so hard to support families in Wimborne and beyond, including running our specialist Twins and Multiple Births group in Wimborne. We could not deliver our service without them.”
The charity is actively recruiting kind, compassionate volunteers to offer emotional and practical support to parents with young children in Wimborne and across Dorset. If you could spare a few hours a week to help local families through challenging times and make a difference in your community, please contact [email protected]. No experience is needed – just a big heart and a listening ear, as full training and ongoing support are provided.
