An organisation that provides a spare mother or best friend to vulnerable families across Bicester could be forced to shut.
Homestart opened three years ago in Bicester with a £274,000 Lottery grant and during that period it has helped more than 100 families in the town and 32 surrounding villages. It offers fully trained volunteers to families that need help on a once-a-week basis.
But a funding crisis could force the service to close.
Homestart coordinator Naomi Hillman said: "If we don't get funding we will have to shut. The families will have to stop receiving volunteer support as there will be no insurance and no support and back-up for the volunteers." Homestart has applied to the Lottery Fund for £173,000 but will not hear if it has been successful until May 10 -- one month before funding runs out.
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