West Suffolk councils are calling on people to make a 2015 pledge by donating just a few hours of their time each week to help local families.
Forest Heath District Council and St Edmundsbury Borough Council are backing the launch of leading family support charity Home-Start, in West Suffolk.
Home-Start Mid and West Suffolk, working in partnership with Home-Start South Suffolk, supports families through times of need.
The charity is calling for volunteers with parental experience to donate just two to three hours a week to help support and encourage families in their own homes.
It will be running a volunteer training course in Bury St Edmunds from January.
Cllr Robin Millar, Forest Heath Cabinet Member for Families and Communities, said: "We all know of families who may be struggling, perhaps because of adapting to having a new baby, relationships coming to an end, the stress of bereavement or the impact of financial difficulties. Home-Start is looking for people who can visit families, talk through what they have learnt from their own life experiences and point them in the direction of the help that is out there."
Cllr Sara Mildmay-White, St Edmundsbury Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of those families in our area, who, for whatever reason, are struggling - but it needs volunteers to succeed.
"Each of us has been through our own struggles of one kind or another and have learnt valuable lessons in life as a result. Home-Start is about sharing that knowledge and getting out into the communities to help these families before they reach breaking point."
Jo Pearson and Bev Montague are the Family Co-ordinators. They said: "Volunteers will be able to enhance their own skills, knowledge, confidence and know that they have made a real difference to families. We also have the opportunity to offer accreditation with education organisation NOCN."
To find out more contact office@homestartmidsuffolk.org.uk<mailto:office@homestartmidsuffolk.org.uk or call 01379 678552/01379 678224 for an information pack.
