Antony Worrall Thompson:

“I am supporting Home-Start because I believe that they provide vital support to struggling families and that everyone could do with a bit of help in the early days.

I would advise new mothers to make sure they rest and look after themselves as well as the baby. Take time out and make sure you have support around you. This is why Home-Start can make all the difference to families. Extra support is provided to parents who are struggling or finding it difficult to cope with young children. ”

Carol Smillie

“As a mother I know that staying on top of everything can be hard work, and help at home is always welcome. This is why I am supporting the Real Parents campaign from the leading UK family charity Home-Start. They help more than 35,000 families that are struggling for any number of reasons and they need more volunteers to help other families to cope better. It only takes a few hours of your time to make the world of difference to someone's life.”

Dr Miriam Stoppard, childcare expert:

“Many parents feel the pressure of trying to be a perfect mother or father, but nearly everyone finds that difficult when bringing up young children. It's important that parents recognise when they need a bit of extra support and know how to ask for it. Home-Start supports parents by matching them with a home visiting volunteer who can deal with such issues as post-natal depression, multiple births or disability.

If you've got through the highs and lows of parenthood, your own experience could be invaluable as a home-visiting volunteer for struggling parents - acting as a family friend by giving emotional and practical support. You'll have valuable tips and advice to give. When I first became a mother I made sure I took the best care of myself, as well as the children. Home-Start volunteers help parents to do that.”

Trisha Goddard:

“If you've got through the highs and lows of having young children, you'll know the difference it can make to have a friendly chat with someone who's been there before.

As patron of Home-Start Norwich, I've personally seen the tremendous impact home-visiting volunteers can make. The wonderful thing is the sense of achievement and purpose the volunteers get in return. They know that, thanks to them, families are happier and children are getting the best start possible.

I hope the Real Parents campaign will encourage parents across the UK to put their valuable experience to good use by becoming Home-Start volunteers.”

Zoë Tyler:

“Every parent needs support. After having my son Jake I felt alone as my family lived far away and so I had little help. Jake hated sleeping and spent the nights screaming. My partner and I split a year later as the stress tore us apart. I was still having to work and fell asleep at the wheel of my car. Things only settled down when he was three and started to sleep better.”

Gary Lineker:

“There is one thing that I always try to remember with regard to my children - that what I say and what I do influences them and also everyone they meet, not only for a day a year but for all time. I find this a huge responsibility but also very challenging and very exciting.”

Fiona Phillips:

“When your children are small, you're always in a rush and you're often so tired and you don't know what you're doing. When my son Mackenzie was about 9 months old, I put him down in his car seat by the side of the car while I was struggling with my supermarket bags. I was horribly late for an appointment so I jumped in the car and reversed out, totally forgetting about Mackenzie! He was lucky I didn't run him over!

Like any parent, I know how things can get on top of you when you've got young children. I think the volunteers recruited by the Real Parents campaign can make a huge difference to families who are struggling - having someone you can relate to, not a 'super nanny' is worth its weight in gold. ”

Sally Gunnell:

“Being a parent is sometimes tough, however prepared you are. Having help is important and Home-Start can provide that help to struggling families. I believe that supporting Home-Start means that more families across the UK will benefit from the kind help of volunteers who can provide a listening ear and a lending hand. I am supporting the Real Parents campaign because I know from my own experience as a mother that everybody needs help raising a family.”

Wayne Hemingway:

“I did not always know what to do with my kids. Sometimes it's not always instinctive and takes time to gain confidence. I wish I had realised that they were stronger than they looked!

Kevin Phillips of Aston Villa Football Club told his parenting mishap story:

“The funniest thing that happened to me was when I was first left alone with my daughter. I was only looking after her for a short while but I realised I need to get to the shops for something daft like a pint of milk.

I’d seen my wife use the pushchair a hundred times and it looked the easiest thing in the world to operate, but what did I know? It took me the best part of fifteen minutes just to get the thing looking like it was functional, let alone getting a wriggling little girl into it and ready to go out. It took less time to walk to the shop and back…I should’ve carried her! And, if I’m honest, I’ve never really got the hang of the pushchair to this day. It was such a frustrating experience but needless to say, my wife found it hilarious!

I know that becoming a parent is no easy business and you'd never get through it without speaking to people who've been in the same position before. I hope experienced parents will be inspired by the Birmingham 'Real Parents' campaign to use their knowledge to help other families.”

Debra Stephenson

"As a mother of two small children I know that having a young family can be one of the most joyful times of our lives, but sometimes difficult life events, isolation and illness mean that we need a bit of extra support. Home-Start offers just that. The charity has trained more than 18,000 parent volunteers throughout the UK to support other parents going through difficult times. Parents supporting other parents in their own homes, is a great idea that is so effective. I know only a few hours a week from Home-Start volunteers can make the world of difference to a family."

Olympian Denise Lewis:

“Being a mother of two, I know how easy it is to feel overwhelmed by the demands of being a parent of young children. When things get tough, some friendly advice can really help you put things in perspective, that's why I'm backing the Real Parents campaign.

I hope parents will be inspired to use their valuable experience to help families who could be struggling because of post-natal depression, multiple births, being new to an area or any other reason.”