A CHARITY supporting families in the Tavistock area is desperately seeking volunteers to help continue the support.

Home Start was awarded a grant from the Big Lottery in 2011, which enabled it to begin offering unique one-to-one support to families in the Tavistock area. Since then the charity has seen a steady increase in the number of families needing support.

A spokesperson for the charity said: 'Families are referred to us for a range of reasons but in particular we have seen an increase in people who are experiencing financial difficulties and families who are isolated and feeling low.

'We are struggling to keep up with the demand for support and are appealing to anyone with parenting experience who has a few hours a week to spare to support a family in their community to consider training with us.'

The service trains volunteers for 40 hours, over eight weeks before they begin to support, but are so keen to get volunteers out there that it is planning a condensed course over one week in March.

If you are a good listener and remember how difficult it can sometimes be to have young children, then Home Start South Hams, Plymouth and Tavistock is waiting to hear from you.

For more information, contact 01548 854513.