A REDDITCH-based organisation is trying to recruit more volunteers to enable it to continue giving support to parents and their children, writes Helen Clarke.

Homestart, based at Community House, Easemore Road, offers advice, practical support and friendship to mums and dads who find themselves in stressful situations.

In February, a 10-week course begins which will equip volunteers to handle a variety of situations.

The weekly sessions will address issues such as maintaining confidentiality, setting boundaries, child protection and situations that might arise when dealing with parents and children experiencing difficulties.

Although the volunteers do not require previous experience, they must be parents themselves.

Homestart spokeswoman Bev Thompson said: All we require is for the volunteer advisers to give us a couple of hours a week and when they are with a family, to encourage them, listen and help them get through a difficult situation.

The course gives advisers the training they need to cope and when the course has been completed, volunteers are allotted individual families.

The number of calls we get from parents who need our help are proof that Homestart really works and our volunteers do an invaluable job.

Any mums or dads with at least one child under five can call Homestart for help and a home visiting service is also offered.

Places on the course are limited. For more details, call Bev Thompson on 62819.