By Community Correspondent Lucy Courtnadge

A rainy start to the half-term week didn’t stop Home-Start Hounslow families, volunteers and staff turning out to celebrate National Family Week. The local family support charity organised a picnic in the beautiful surroundings of Osterley Park and House, and included lunch, games and a bug hunt.

Pictured here enjoying the picnic and puddles is Family Group worker Sonia Tandon and three-year-old Casey.

Home-Start Hounslow is the local branch of national family support charity, Home-Start, which recruits and trains volunteers to support parents in their own homes who have at least one child under the age of five.

All Home-Start volunteers must attend a 40-hour training course and be CRB checked. Home-Start Hounslow is running its next accredited volunteer preparation course from 1 October to 3 December 2010. It will be held every Friday from 9.45am to 2.45pm and take place in Hounslow West.

If you would like to help support families facing a range of issues including isolation, bereavement, multiple births, illness or disability, please call the Home-Start Hounslow office on 020 8577 9552, or email homestart_hounslow@yahoo.co.uk