Quedgeley and Hardwicke are popular areas for young families, but as parents know, children do not come equipped with an instruction manual.

The Home-Start Stroud & Dursley scheme was set up ten years ago and helps about 70 families every year in the area, with around 40 volunteers who spend a few hours a week helping parents with children under five years old. 

The volunteers visit parents at home and use their own parenting experience to support other mothers and fathers and give them practical and emotional help.  Parents support other parents in a variety of situations who are facing the challenges of isolation, bereavement, multiple births, illness or disability etc.

A new volunteers training course is set to run from September 21 for ten weeks (Mondays 10am to 2.30 pm).  For further information and an application pack please call 01453-759911 or email: homestartsd@yahoo.com.