Home-Start New Forest, a local charity which supports vulnerable families in and around the New Forest area has been given a much needed boost from Barker-Mill Foundation (BMF) in the form of a £7,000 grant.
The charity supports families for a variety of reasons such as: mental health issues, housing difficulties, physical disability, poverty and multiple births. The grant from Barker-Mill Foundation has allowed the charity to continue helping families in the local area – with the money going towards the core funding of the scheme, which is a real necessity for the charity at the moment.
Tim Jobling, trustee at the Barker-Mill Foundation, said: “We wanted to lend a helping hand to Home-Start New Forest as they do so much for families in our local community. Starting a family isn’t always easy, and their support gives families the means to get back on track.
“The work they do is admirable and I know many families in the area would be lost without them.”
The charity initially received funding from Hampshire County Council (HCC). Since this finished the charity have been in a very vulnerable position yet still continued to receive large number of referrals and last year managed to support 42 families with 98 children between them.
Home-Start New Forest started as a charity in 2010 supporting vulnerable families across the New Forest and surrounding areas. They do this by carefully selecting a volunteer with parenting experience to regularly visit a family in their own home and provide them with support.
Louise Le Grande from Home-Start New Forest said: “We approached the Barker-Mill Foundation when our funding was cut, and it’s due to their generous donation that we’re able to continue helping vulnerable families in the local area.
“Our work really does help many, with one mum mentioning that we gave her the confidence and support to become a better mother. We must thank Barker-Mill Foundation for their help – it’s been greatly appreciated by many”
To donate or volunteer to Home-Start New Forest please visit: http://www.homestartnewforest.co.uk