WEYMOUTH and Portland families in crisis will benefit from a grant of more than £290,000 that has been awarded to a charity.

Home-Start West Dorset has been awarded funding over a four-year period from the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fund.

The sum of £291,272 will allow Home-Start West Dorset to recruit and train new volunteers to make home visits to families.

The project will focus on families and lone parents experiencing social isolation, low income, a lack of confidence and mental health issues or unemployment.

Chairman of Home-Start West Dorset Janet Kennewell said: “I am absolutely delighted and thrilled that our family support service has been acknowledged in this way.

“Our scheme is just over three years old and is recognised as being an important part of family support in the area. 

“This award of £291,262 over four years will enable us to continue our existing service in West Dorset as well as to employ new staff to develop our service into Weymouth & Portland.”

Home-Start West Dorset trains volunteers to offer parent-on-parent support, friendship and practical assistance through visiting families who have at least one child under five years old.

Support is tailored to the individual needs of each family and is provided for as long as the family needs it.

The charity added that local support had been critical in securing the sum from the Big Lottery Fund.

Home-Start West Dorset has recently received funding and grants from Dorset County Council Early Years, NHS Dorset, Children in Need, West Dorset District Council, Magna Housing Association and Dorchester Rotary Club. It is also Dorchester Mayor Andy Canning’s chosen charity of the year.

More than £1m of Big Lottery funding is being shared by five projects in the South West.

Among others to receive grants are Bournemouth Churches Housing Association’s domestic abuse project and the East Holton Charity, which helps disabled adults in the county.