THE Okehampton branch of a charity supporting local families through difficult times is in the process of ceasing all operations in the town.

Home-Start Okehampton, based at the Inspiration Centre, is in the process of closing, following an inability to attract local trustees and local funding.

Co-ordinator for the Okehampton branch Louise Bol said: 'Really, the closure is due to a lack of trustees in the area. We found it very difficult to attract local trustees from the town.

'We really needed those trustees to help at the branch. Equally, the funding situation made things difficult. We got some funding nationally, but we have to match that with funding from the area, which we were struggling to do.

'It is a very sad decision that no-one at Home-Start has taken lightly. We took a long time to make the decision. It is doubly sad because Okehampton is now the only area in Devon that doesn't has family support.

'The demand for the service was there. We had more referrals than we could match, and we were supporting a lot of families. Everyone at the Okehampton branch is sad to see it go.'

The running of a Home-Start branch is overseen by dedicated trustees who set up the overall direction of work and support paid staff in their management of the day to day running of the scheme.

They all receive training and are asked to offer between eight and 12 hours a month.

The Okehampton branch was only set up in September 2010 to help local families.

It was part of a nationwide charity that supports almost 73,000 vulnerable children and families throughout the UK. Based at the Inspiration Centre on Northfield Road, the local branch gave support to families in the community.

Parents can ask for Home-Start's help for many reasons. If they feel isolated in the community, finding it hard to cope with their own or their children's physical or mental illness, or just struggling emotionally, the charity aims to help.

Home-Start tries to increase the confidence and independence of families by visiting them in their homes and offering support and practical assistance.

The charity's volunteers are often experienced parents and can reassure and guide those struggling with family life by sharing their own experiences. They spend time listening to parents struggling and children.

The Rev Mike Davies from the Inspiration Church was saddened to hear the news: 'While I didn't have close dealings with the charity, I think it's a sad loss for Okehampton to lose such a facility supporting local people.'

For more information on the nationwide charity, visit http://www.home-start.org.uk">www.home-start.org.uk