A CHARITY offering a lifeline to vulnerable young families has been awarded nearly half a million pounds in lottery funding.

Home-Start Inverclyde - which exists to give children the best possible start in life by supporting their parents - has secured a huge community fund grant.

The Greenock based project will now be able to continue to offer crucial support to people like young mum Amyleigh Crumlish.

She suffered from post partum depression and anxiety following the birth of her son Alexander, now two.

As Amy, pictured, became increasingly isolated Home-Start Inverclyde stepped in with a mentor and life-saving support.

Greenock mum, Amyleigh, 22, said: “They go above and beyond to make sure my son and I are both okay.

“Home-Start have completely changed my life for the better.

"From the very beginning they have opened their arms and welcomed us into their family full of kind, amazing people.

"Since having them in our lives I have had more support than I ever knew imaginable.

“I will be forever grateful for everything Home-Start has done for my family and they'll always hold a very special place in my heart for helping me through the times I felt I couldn’t be helped."

Home-Start Inverclyde, based in Cathcart Street, offers one-to-one support from other parents who train as mentors.

The dedicated team also offer peer support groups.

Families with children aged five and under are offered support for a range of reasons.

The Community Fund award of £442,309 will help them continue to provide their work in Inverclyde for the next four years.

Home-Start Inverclyde scheme manager Iain MacDonald said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this award.

"It ensures the future of our Inverclyde service, which has grown leaps and bounds over the past five years, and will allow us to establish it in partnership with our core Renfrewshire service going forward.

“We are helping families with young children from pre-birth to five years of age by providing emotional and practical support through weekly home-visiting by volunteers.

"The difference it is making to families living locally has been huge. "Families tell us having a Home-Start volunteer has a transformative effect on their family life, their mental health and their relationship with their children.”