Home-Start Wessex is delighted to have won two awards at the Dorchester Business Awards 2026. Organised by Marketing West, the Dorchester Business Awards recognise and reward local businesses and organisations that have made a significant contribution to the local area. The charity collected the Community Support Award and Best Place to Work Award at a special ceremony attended by over 80 local business representatives.
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 its work to help local families and its mission to give children the best possible start in life, so that no child’s future is limited. Judges also commented on the results of a recent internal survey, which demonstrated that Home-Start Wessex had created an outstanding workplace based on a clear set of values, with a committed, effective and motivated workforce.
Belinda Hewett, Head of Operations at Home-Start Wessex, said, "When Home-Start West Dorset became a victim of the funding crisis in October 2023, Home-Start Wessex immediately extended its reach to help families in Dorchester, Bridport, Portland, Weymouth, and as far as Lyme Regis.
In April 2025, we opened our Dorchester Haven group at the Dorchester Family Hub, welcoming families every Monday to drop in and access free support. These groups provide a safe space for little ones to explore, grow, and learn, and help parents gain confidence. We also provide 1-to-1 support for families in and around Dorchester, which can be life-changing.
One mum from Dorchester said, “Without Home-Start Wessex, my mental health would have got worse, and I would still be very isolated. Now I’m not in debt, I budget better, and I have more confidence. I am excited to go back to the group and make friends.”
We are incredibly proud to win these awards, and I would like to dedicate them to our amazing volunteers who work so hard to support families in Dorchester and beyond. 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 Dorchester 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 office@homestartwessex.org.uk. No experience is needed – just a big heart and a listening ear, as full training and ongoing support are provided.