A CHARITY which works with families under stress is spreading its wings and expanding into the Bishop's Stortford area.

Home-Start East Herts currently works in Hertford, Ware and Buntingford, with the national charity working throughout the UK.

The charity helps young families experiencing difficulties such as illness, depression, loneliness, bereavement, or the feeling of being unable to cope with young children.

Volunteers are trained to act as a friend to these families, and give them emotional and practical support.

A £78,000 National Lottery grant spread over three years has allowed the charity to expand into Bishop's Stortford.

East Herts senior organiser Margaret Bromage told the Citizen: 'Because we are called East Herts we've always wanted to go into Stortford. This funding means we can cover an area we could never cover before.'

She added: 'We are here to support young families going through difficult times. Our only criteria is that there must be at least one child under five.'

She added: 'Volunteers can help in a practical way by giving a lift to a hospital appointment, or doing the shopping, or providing the parents with a break from looking after the children for example.

'They also help emotionally, by simply being there as someone to talk to. We've had a lot of really positive feedback from people we've helped.'

Home-Start East Herts formed five years ago. Nationally Home-Start has been around for 27 years.

Volunteers are needed with up to three hours a week to spare, to provide regular support to struggling families.

A short training course will be held in Bishop's Stortford on Tuesday, May 9, with another in September.

To find out more ring 01920 464883.