A SUPPORT charity offering a lifeline service to parents and families has gone through the 100 volunteer mark.

Home-Start Wyre Forest offers an open-ended helping hand to mothers and fathers finding it tough coping with the stresses and strains of parenting.

The group has 81 home-visit volunteers who meet parents for a chat, to offer a shoulder to cry on or give advice.

The charity is about to welcome another 10 vital volunteers who have undergone the compulsory 10-week training course at the district headquarters in New Road, Kiddermin-ster.

Including Home-Start's 10-member volunteer management committee, the charity now has its landmark 101th member.

The volunteer breakthrough will mean more parents can benefit from the valuable service home visitors provide.

Since the group was set up in 1995, its visitor team has helped deal with issues ranging from mothers battling post-natal depression to couples moving to Wyre Forest who are isolated from their families.

Belinda Darby, scheme manager, said: "We are delighted to have reached our 100th volunteer and are celebrating our fantastic team who really make such a difference to the lives of local families."

Parents who need a helping hand are either referred or can make an informal inquiry to the charity by phone.

The applicant family must have a child under five but the problem does not have to centre around that child, it can be a brother or sister as long as they are under 18.

Home-Start can then match a home visitor with the parents following an introductory meeting.

Volunteers will stop by once a week for one or two hours, with regular two month review meetings between parents and the charity's coordinators.

Mrs Darby added: "We've dealt with families in the past who had some particular and very complex needs.

"There's definitely no such thing as a typical Home-Start family."

For more information on becoming a volunteer or applying for home visits call 01562 825896.