RICHMOND HOME START PRAISED BY MP SUSAN KRAMER

3.28.18pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 5th Oct 2005

Home Start at work;you can visit their website at www.home-start.org.uk

A local charity working with young families deserves to receive financial support from the Government.

MP Susan Kramer, Richmond Park, gave Home Start Richmond her full backing after a recent meeting in which the charity laid out the challenge to its survival thanks to the difficulties in raising sufficient financing.

"The work that Home Start does makes such a difference to families who may be going through a difficult time and who need that extra support. For many, the traditional extended family no longer exists and this is the organisation that steps into the breech.

"Home Start's network of volunteers do a fantastic job yet the local organisation and its projects do not get any funding from central Government despite praise for its work.

"It seems quite hypocritical for the Government to talk in favour of families, to praise Home Start and even mention it in its green papers but then not to back its work with vital cash.

"Like many small charities, the constant pressures of fundraising and the endless form filling associated with applications and reporting are diverting hours of time from actually helping families.

"Sure Start, the programme for children, gets money for its local projects but it is time the Government took the same approach to the complimentary programme for families, Home Start.

"Currently 41 families are being helped but there are 16 on the official waiting list and many more who would like to join."