Home-Start Newry & Mourne has been supporting local families for over 36 years. Whether you’re a first-time parent feeling overwhelmed, going through a tough time, or simply looking for a bit of company and support, we’re here for you.
We offer a range of free, confidential services for families with children under five across the Newry, Mourne and Down area. Everything we do starts from a place of understanding — no judgement, just support.
In 2024–2025 across our services:
666
Families Supported
1,150
Children
58
Volunteers
36
Years of Service
100% of families who completed support rated it as good or excellent.
Home Visiting — Our Core Service
At the heart of everything we do is home visiting. We place a trained, friendly volunteer alongside you in your own home, usually for around two hours a week. Your volunteer is there to listen, help out practically, play with your children, and support you in the ways that matter most to your family. Support is tailored to you, and it’s there for as long as you need it.
When asked what matters most, 72% of parents said it was simply having someone “being there”. Over 53% of our referrals come from health visitors, midwives, social workers and other Trust staff — a sign of the trust professionals place in our service.
Family Groups
Our weekly family groups in Newry, Kilkeel, Warrenpoint and Annalong are a welcoming place for parents and children to come together, make friends, and enjoy activities in a relaxed, supportive setting.
Perinatal & Infant Support
From pregnancy right through to your baby’s first year, we offer a range of programmes including antenatal classes, baby massage, sensory play, and the Tiny Steps parent-infant programme.
Parenting Programmes
We run evidence-based programmes like Incredible Years alongside practical workshops on topics from self-care to nutrition, giving you skills and confidence in a friendly group setting.
Specialist Support
For families facing more intense challenges, we offer crisis support through our Rapid Response service, therapeutic programmes for children, counselling, multi-sensory sessions, and home safety support.
Charity Shops
Our three local charity shops in Newry, Warrenpoint and Kilkeel help fund our work and are a friendly face in the community. Pop in to browse, donate, or find out more about volunteering.
Want to find out more or think we could help your family? Get in touch — we’d love to hear from you.