A VOLUNTARY organisation in Tidworth is hammering home the message to parents that they don't have to face household stress alone.

Home-Start is a charity offering moral support, friendship and practical help to parents with young children.

The Tidworth branch of Home-Start enlists volunteers who go into family homes for at least two hours a week in the Tidworth and Ludgershall area.

Organiser Gisela Maisch works for the Kennet branch of Home-Start, based at the Ashdown Centre. Be-sides Kennet branch offices in Tidworth, Home-Start also has offices in Marlborough and Devizes. Gisela says half of the people they help are Army families.

She said: "A mum may have just had a new baby or be expecting a baby, could have just moved to the area and may be alone because her husband has been posted for training. "She may be referred to us or contact us directly. We are not about crisis intervention - we deal with normal families who have normal difficulties."

Francesca Wilson has been a Home-Start volunteer for four years now. She has helped some families for a few weeks, but has helped other families for considerably longer.

Francesca said: "I first got involved in the scheme when I saw an advert in the Andover Advertiser saying they wanted volunteers for Home-Start. After a ten-week training course I was matched with a family.

"I love being with young people and think the help I offer is so worthwhile. Sometimes the mums are exhausted and me being there allows them to go off and have a sleep for a couple of hours or take a bath."

Gisela stresses that the service Home-Start offers is confidential, non-judgemental and adheres to health and safety regulations.

Anyone with children under five can use the service and anyone can be a volunteer provided they have parenting experience and pass relevant police checks. For details of Home-Start in Tidworth contact Gisela Maisch on 01980 843913.