A CHARITY which puts young families in touch with people who have experience of home management and raising children is looking for volunteers in the Forest who can 'befriend' those in need of helpful advice.

A spokesman for Family Lives says the experience of helping first-time families is satisfying and rewarding.

"As a parent have you ever found yourself screaming inside or having run out of ideas on how to support your child? The emotional strain can feel unbearable and isn't it hard to say out loud, 'I'm not coping'.

"At Family Lives we believe that asking for help is strength. As a charity we work with parents to find the choices that are right for them and their family.

"We are now recruiting volunteers to come and join us in helping others cope with the ups and downs of family life.

"If you want to be part of a national project we are looking for dads, mums, grandparents; people with experience of being in a parenting role or working with parents or children. You will receive training and on-going support in your role as a volunteer support mentor, befriending a family."

For more information call telephone number 01453 768 160 or email adminglos@familylives. org.uk – or you can visit the website http://familylives.org.uk">http://familylives.org.uk /content/volunteer-family-lives to download a full role description and an application form.