Home-Start East Fife have been supporting families across East Fife for over 30 years. Every year 20 - 30 trained volunteers support an average of 60 families with around 170 children. Home-Start East Fife has a staff team of four who work with the Board of Trustees to train and support volunteers so they in turn can support families. Support takes two forms: home-visiting and Family Support Groups. Home-visiting volunteers visit families in their own homes once a week to offer friendship and support, whether parents need an extra pair of hands, help to get out, or just some adult company and a listening ear. In this rural area of North East Fife, social isolation is one of the recurring reasons families are referred to us. Families are referred to us by health visitors, social workers, community psychiatric nurses and other local professionals, or parents can refer themselves. In addition to home-visiting volunteers, Home-Start East Fife runs three Family Support Groups, in Auchtermuchty, St Andrews and Cupar. The Family Support Groups are only for families referred to Home-Start East Fife. They provide a safe and stimulating environment for our parents and their pre-school children. Within the groups, our Family Support Group Co-ordinator and volunteers organise activities aimed at improving parenting skills and promoting positive interaction between parent and child and within their peer groups. Family Support Groups also provide a supportive environment and information exchange for parents experiencing difficulties. The children are given healthy snacks, and have access to educational toys and an environment that allows for physical activity.