A Charity has been awarded a £2,000 grant from Gloucestershire County Council to provide training to volunteers.

Home-Start Cotswolds, based at Cirencester Baptist Church, offers practical support and friendship to at least 60 families in the area each year.

They visit parents in their own homes every week to help them through any problems they are facing and to ensure their children are given the best possible start in life.

Volunteers work alongside families who have children under the age of five to improve parenting skills, boost confidence and well-being.

They also help with family management and establish social networks.

The charity has been awarded the money through the County Council’s growing our communities fund.

Katharine Campbell, senior coordinator at Home-Start Cotswolds, said: “Our staff and trustees were delighted to receive £2,000 through the growing our communities fund so we can provide training for our volunteers in 2019.

"We currently have 45 volunteers in the Cotswolds and the training we will provide this year will include domestic abuse awareness, infant first aid, mother and baby relationships and peer support sessions.”

Cllr Joe Harris, county councillor for Cirencester Park, added: “I was pleased to endorse this application to help secure the grant.

"This charity provides invaluable support for families in the Cotswolds so the funding will really make a difference.

"The training they will be able to offer to volunteers will strengthen their work and many families in the area will benefit.”

Cllr Richard Boyles, cabinet member for children’s safeguarding and early years, said: “I’m delighted this grant has been awarded to a very worthy charity. Their volunteers help countless families in the area and the training they receive will ensure they continue to offer essential and valued support.”

Home-Start supports volunteers across the whole of Gloucestershire.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Home-Start on 01285 885 391.