A UNIQUE West Devon parent support group, part of a county network this week singled out for praise by Prime Minister Tony Blair, is on the look out for new volunteers. Homestart West Devon?s method of supporting parents through its trained volunteers has been shown to play a major role in preventing and reducing social exclusion in a recent study. It is the UK?s leading family support charity and offers a trained parent volunteer to support families at home with one or more children under five years old. Charlotte Weston, Senior Organiser from Home-Start West Devon, said : ?This research demonstrates that our volunteers foster the strengths and emotional well being of parents and this very personal support has a proven and lasting impact on their lives. ?Our individually tailored approach makes it much easier for us to reach and help vulnerable and disadvantaged people. ?Prevention is better than cure and Home-Start volunteers are there to help parents at that very early stage before their difficulties reach crisis point.? The support offered by Home-Start is essentially non-judgemental and characterised by choice and a mutual relationship between family and volunteer. Parents know they can ring or drop into their local office if they have a problem or just want to see a friendly face. Home-Start West Devon was set up in 1995 and last year helped 21 families and 45 children. It has ten home-visiting volunteers who spend a few hours a week helping parents with children under five years old. The volunteers visit parents at home and use their own parenting experience to support other mothers and fathers and give them practical and emotional help. Home-Start West Devon is currently seeking new volunteers to attend its course of preparation in November. The scheme is also asking local people to step forward as Trustees. Anyone who is interested in hearing more about the work of the charity is very welcome to its annual meeting at 11.30am on Thursday September 14 at Fairplace Church in Okehampton.
