We provide consistent, empowering and engaging support to families in need across the cities of Salford and Manchester. We are the support network for parents and their children who have no one else to turn to; a tribe of parents and professionals alike who encourage, empower and connect each other.
Our door is always open for any parent that needs help – whether they just want a helping hand or need longer term support. A journey starts with a single step and we’ll be there every step of the way.Â
We believe long-term, consistent support instead of short interventions breaks down barriers and encourages families to ask for help when they need it, instead of getting to breaking point.Â
Our projects are run by professionals who are also local parents, some with lived experience of the issues our families are facing – childhood poverty, breastfeeding issues, abusive relationships, managing Universal credit and navigating the world of work.
We know a child’s development is heavily influenced by their external environment and their parent’s ability to be calm and responsive to their needs. Too many parents are struggling to manage. This is leading to children having communication difficulties, long-term health conditions, poor physical health and even mental health problems before the age of 10.Â
Every referral and every visit to our services tells a story.
M came to us in one of our drop-in sessions in 2024 with her daughter who was just over a year old. She had been sleeping rough in a church after leaving her husband due to DA and been told by the Local Authority that they could not help her with temporary accommodation. She had received a referral to Stork Support through Citizens Advice Bolton who had helped her appeal the housing refusal and had got her a room in some temporary accommodation in Eccles. Her daughter did not have space to crawl or walk around and play with toys.
M and her daughter were granted Leave to Remain in 2025 and were moved to new accommodation in Little Hulton, we made sure M was supported throughout this process and worked with her housing officer to make sure she had everything she needed and was able to claim Universal Credit.Â
We referred M to the community connectors at Salford CVS who have since introduced M and her daughter to the Muddy Boots group at Community Little Hulton, where she has developed her speech and language skills and has been playing with other children.
M says: “I cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible support my daughter and I have received from Visit from the Stork. They have been a true lifeline, providing us with clothing, toys, and invaluable emotional support. Their team is always ready to help with any form of assistance we need, showing genuine care and compassion. We are truly blessed to have them in our lives!”
We align our work to national and local priorities through the 1001 Critical Days framework – a movement supported by the previous Government in 2021 (link here) and being built upon by the current administration through the launch of their Best Start in Life strategy.Â
In Salford, we are part of the Early Years Partnership through our role in the voluntary sector providing services that link with the Family Hubs and the new Best Start Strategy (2026-2031). We became a Salford Family Hub partner in 2023 through our work at Emmanuel Centre.Â
In Manchester, we work closely with Strategic Leads at the Family Hubs to deliver our core service Stork Support, and will be making sure all our work aligns with the new Best Start local plan.
The 1001 Critical days movement recognises that the first 1001 days of a child’s life are the most important, and that parents are the first early educators and influencers on how children learn and view the world. More than 1 million neural connections are formed every second within a child’s first few years of life, so it is imperative that a child’s environment is healthy and happy. It is essential that children have responsive caregivers who are able to meet their needs, and give reciprocal ‘serve and return’ interactions – without this the brain does not develop as expected, leading to long term impacts on children’s health.
The Government and Local Authorities have stressed how important it is for all parents and caregivers to have direct, personalised support for themselves and their family, from conception to starting school and beyond. This is something we specialise in – getting to know our families means we build trust, break down barriers and get to see transformational change. Our work is always non-judgmental, friendly and consistent as well as being family-centred. We focus on reducing stress, creating positive relationships and home environments, helping children and families to bond with each other and make friendships with their peers.
We have worked with some of our families for 3 years or more – and moved them on from a family in crisis to families that are thriving, with previous clients becoming volunteers and children doing well at school. Often our clients come back with their second or even third child – because they know and trust our support.