VOLUNTEERS from a Southampton charity will be heading into city schools later this month in the first initiative of its kind to provide one-on-one support to pupils.

Christian organisation Unite has been invited into schools to help with assemblies, pastoral care and lunchtime and after-school clubs.

It's the first time a church organisation has offered long-term support to teachers - and it has won the support of a head teacher at one of Southampton's biggest schools.

Chris Ward, from Unite, said: "It's about putting people in schools who can get alongside the kids, to help those who are struggling with the school system.

"It's the first time this kind of intensive, continuous work has happened in Southampton and hopefully it will allow us to build relationships with the kids."

As well as taking assemblies, Unite volunteers will be helping out with after-school dance and drama clubs as well as lunchtime IT sessions at Bellemoor boys' school in Shirley, and Millbrook Community School.

Already, Unite runs a project called Streetlight that goes out to Millbrook and Bitterne to meet youngsters in the community.

Volunteer Ruth Spradbery added: "The teachers we saw were really positive. We're not qualified to work with the toughest kids - that's not our aim. We're going to offer support. We'll be working with the kids that come to us."

Tony Cotton, head teacher at Millbrook Community School, in Green Lane, said: "I was impressed with their commitment to want to come in and get to know the youngsters.

"This is a chance to continue the good work Unite has been doing in the community, allowing them to build bridges with the youngsters - and I think it could have a significant effect on their lives."