Family support charity, Home-Start, is one of two chosen charities for this year’s Waitrose and John Lewis ‘Give a Little Love’ Christmas campaign, which aims to make a lasting difference to some of those hit hardest during 2020.

Local Home-Start Cymru representative Carmen Jackson, who is the family support lead for Monmouthshire, came into the Monmouth branch of Waitrose last week to collect a cheque for £333.

The money will be spent on the provision of Christmas supplies and gifts, helping Home-Start Cymru to alleviate some of the impacts of Covid-19 on families, which have not been felt equally, with those already on low incomes hit hardest.

On receiving the cheque in-store, Carmen Jackson said: “Home-Start Cymru has continued to deliver vital support to local families throughout Monmouthshire during the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘‘This generous donation from Waitrose in Monmouth will help us to provide local families with some of the things they need to make this Christmas special because childhood won’t wait for a post-Covid recovery

“We will be able to help families who are under greater pressure than ever before, facing difficult financial times, mental health issues and increased isolation, amongst many other issues.

Home-Start Cymru supports parents at their lowest point, through hyperlocal, community-based services that can help them overcome a range of challenges, including mental health issues, loneliness, and financial problems, among others.

Each year, with the help of over 300 trained volunteers, the charity supports over 800 families across Wales - some 1,700 children in total - and is calling on the public to support the campaign.

Bethan Webber, chief executive of Home-Start Cymru, said: “Families are facing the toughest of times.

‘‘The Covid-19 pandemic has stripped away family and community?support, piled on financial pressure,?and?forced families into home learning, often while working themselves, and living on a low income.

‘‘New parents have also been disproportionately affected as pre- and post-natal services have been stripped back.

‘‘This donation is appreciated and very much needed. Diolch Waitrose customers in Monmouth.”

A Waitrose spokesperson said: “The pandemic has highlighted the growing inequalities across the country, with those who are already most vulnerable disproportionately impacted.

‘‘Through our partnerships with FareShare and HomeStart we’re aiming to make a big difference to the lives of 100,000 families in the UK.”

As part of the Christmas ‘Give a Little Love’ campaign, Home-Start Cymru organised a range of online Christmas fundraisers.

All details can be found on their website: www.homestartcymru.org.uk

If you would like to donate directly to Home-Start Cymru, please visit their websiter for full details at go to:https://www.justgiving.com/homestartcymruforfamilies