Funding boost secures Arun family support charity

A FAMILY support charity which helps people across the Bognor Regis area has received a cash injection to the tune of £300,000.

Home-Start Arun is celebrating with its volunteers after a £300,000 Big Lottery grant secured its future for the next three years.

Senior organiser Bridget Richardson said: “Like many small charities and voluntary organisations we were struggling for running costs, without enough to even get through until the end of the financial year.

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“We see the Big Lottery grant as an opportunity not only to continue the important work our volunteers already do, but to expand the operation to cover an increasing number of referrals for support.

“We will soon be recruiting an additional member of staff to allow us to expand our service to work with migrant families.

“Another exciting prospect will be to provide social work placements, to give students an opportunity to experience supporting families through early intervention.”

The organisation delivers home visiting support to families with children under five who are having difficulties.

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Its volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to families under stress in their own homes, helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown.

Each volunteer is matched with one or two families and visits them every week for a few hours to offer support, for as long as it is helpful or needed.

The Big Lottery Fund aims to help others make improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need.

This funding will let Home-Start Arun train more volunteers. Their next preparation course will start on November 6. For more information call 01903 889707.