Home-Start Kernow, a leading family support charity in Cornwall, is starting 2016 with a band of new volunteer recruits, but is always looking for more.

The charity recruits and trains volunteers to befriend, support and offer practical help to parents across Cornwall who have at least one child under five and are struggling to cope for a variety of reasons.

Last year Home Start Kernow trained 46 volunteers with 16 of them completing their training in December who are starting the new Year supporting families. Their dedication will vastly increase the support Home-Start Kernow can offer to families in Cornwall.

In a recent evaluation, one of the families who have benefited from Home Start Kernow's services, said: "I really don’t think I’d be here right now. My volunteer saw me go from rock bottom and back up and she’s been on that rollercoaster with me. She is an exceptional match. I’d still be struggling on anti-depressants. HSK has given me a weekly dose of light at the end of a very dark tunnel.”

Volunteers say that working with Home Start Kernow is a rewarding experience and some give their time as they had struggled as parents and want to support someone who is going through a similar experience and find that their own experiences as parents can help others.

North Cornwall coordinator Jayne, said: “Our volunteers can’t commit to helping for the rest of their lives, so we are always looking for more volunteers. If people don’t want to train as a home visiting volunteer, we can always do with help with fundraising or on our management committee as a trustee.”

Anyone interested in getting involved with Home-Start Kernow should go to www.homestartkernow.org.uk or call 01209 214490.