AN Uttlesford charity that supports and helps young families has taken on eight new volunteers. After a successful recruitment drive, Home-Start Uttlesford guided the new volunteers - from the Dunmow, Bishop s Stortford and Stansted areas – through a 40-h

AN Uttlesford charity that supports and helps young families has taken on eight new volunteers.

After a successful recruitment drive, Home-Start Uttlesford guided the new volunteers - from the Dunmow, Bishop's Stortford and Stansted areas - through a 40-hour preparation training course.

The course covered topics ranging from confidentiality to safeguarding children.

A spokesman said: "Due to a high influx of families being referred to Home-Start for support, we had to organise an additional training course this year to help us cope with our ever growing waiting list.

"And it is amazing that we have been able to train so many new volunteers, we've been very lucky."

Home-Start is based in Fairycroft Road, Saffron Walden and is part of a national voluntary organisation in which volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to young families under stress in their own homes.

The charity is open to any family with at least one child under the age of five.

Home-Start's next volunteer preparation course is due to start in early autumn and the spokesman added: "We would love to hear from anyone who may be interested."

For more information contact Linda Robinson on 01799 520728. More details about the scheme is available on the website www.homestartuttlesford.org.uk