A COUNTY charity has welcomed 10 new volunteers as it celebrates its 35th anniversary.

Home-Start Herefordshire offers support, friendship and practical help to families who are experiencing stress and finding it hard to cope and have at least one child under the age of 19.

Dedicated volunteers are a crucial part of the service and the charity has just welcomed its latest recruits following the completion of their 40-hour volunteer preparation.

Alison Jones, marketing and volunteer recruitment coordinator, said: "Our dedicated volunteers give up three hours of their time a week to visit a family in their home. The volunteers give support, help, encouragement and friendship.

"These visits help to put new strategies in place for a family that is struggling for a variety or reason such as isolation, disability, depression, multiple birth, school issues, child’s behaviour, budgeting, abuse and many more.

"The volunteers help to build new confidences and new abilities to overcome difficult situations for families with children 0-19."

To join the team, you need to be a parent or have teaching/parenting skills and be free to go on the charity's training course. Driving is an advantage but not essential.

The next preparation course for volunteers will be starting in September.

For more information call 01432 371212 or email ali.homestart@gmail.com