A CARING Spa charity, which offers support and friendship to families with young children, is celebrating its two-year anniversary.

The Droitwich branch of Home-Start was set up at the end of 2000 following a Lottery grant of £106,000 over three years.

It helps families who are going through a difficult spell due to things such as loneliness, relationship problems, multiple births or disability.

The branch now has 20 volunteers who give up a couple of hours a week to visit a family.

They offer friendship, support, understanding, reassurance and an extra pair of hands, if needed, to parents of children under five. Families can ask for help themselves or be referred by a relative, friend or professional, such as a health visitor.

Organiser of Droitwich Home-Start Lyn Mason said: "I am so happy that we are coming up to the end of our second year and we are helping more families than ever."

Volunteers come from different backgrounds and vary in age but all have parenting experience.

They go through a careful selection process and a course of preparation before being matched with a family.

As volunteers they accept families as they are and are selected for their friendliness, practical approach and understanding.

Lyn said: "We are running another course of preparation from September for 10 weeks, one morning a week.

"No qualifications are needed, just as long as they are or have been a parent. Everyone is welcome.

"We have been a victim of our own success in a way, as more and more families are coming to us for support so we need more and more volunteers."

Social outings for volunteers and families are available throughout the year, giving everyone the chance to make friends and get to know each other a bit better.

"I really can't thank everyone enough for their help and support since the scheme was launched," emphasised Lyn. "Without everyone's support and kindness we wouldn't have been able to make Home-Start what it is today."

You can support Home-Start by visiting a coffee morning in the Wesley Room of Droitwich Methodist Church, Worcester Road, on Saturday, September 7, from 10am to noon.

Or, if you would like to help ring Lyn on 01905 827108 about becoming a volunteer.