A REDDITCH Charity which once feared it would have to close has been given nearly half a million pounds.

Home-Start North East Worcestershire has been given a whopping £420,557 from the National Lottery to help struggling families with post-natal depression.

It has been awarded the money to support its Secure Minds Project, helping mums with ante/post natal depression and parents experiencing attachment and bonding difficulties.

The charity, which has struggled with a lack of funding in the past, will be working in partnership with the Koala Tree, offering a perinatal support service, a parenting group, one-to-one psychological therapy, and a volunteer support service.

Karen Jones, manager, said: “We’re delighted that the National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way.

"Now, thanks to the National Lottery players we are very excited to be able to work alongside the Koala Tree to offer and develop a service to support families who need it most at the right time."

Home-Start, which support families across Redditch and Bromsgrove, has been running since 1989 supporting more than 250 families, 500 children, and 88 volunteers each year.

Volunteers provide non-judgmental, practical and emotional support and help build a family’s confidence and ability to cope.

For more on the charity, call 01527 62819 or email volnewhomestart@aol.com.