Merger means Horncastlecharity will be '˜stronger'

Home-Start groups in Boston, East Lindsey, Gainsborough, Grantham, Lincoln, Sleaford, South Holland and Stamford have agreed to join forces.

The new charity is called ‘Home-Start Lincolnshire’ and will operate across the county - including the Horncastle, Coningsby and Woodhall Spa areas.

The head office is at the Fortuna Business Park in Mareham Road, Horncastle.

Home-Start stress their ‘core support’ to families will remain the same but, by working together, the larger and stronger organisation will be able to help more families and children.

Home-Start has been in Lincolnshire since 1984 and the eight Home-Start schemes throughout the county have trained volunteers to support local families.

Home-Start Lincolnshire will be one of the largest local family support charity in the county, with over 500 volunteers providing vital emotional support, practical help and parenting advice to families who are struggling.

In the summer of 2015, supporters of Home-Start campaigned against Lincolnshire County Council’s decision to remove the charity’s funding.

Despite significant support, the cuts went ahead and resulted in a massive reduction of £430,000 to the charity which has worked hard to reduce the impact on families in need of support.

Chief Executive of Home-Start Lincolnshire, Tracey Ruddock, said: “Home-Starts throughout Lincolnshire have an excellent track record in improving people’s lives.

“This merger is very good news for the people of Lincolnshire. A single charity means we can make savings and work more efficiently, whilst supporting even more local families.”