FUNDING challenges facing a West Somerset charity were explained to local MP Rachel Gilmour when she visited.

Mrs Gilmour dropped into Home-Start West Somerset’s Alcombe Children’s Centre premises to meet some of the parents and children with whom the charity works.

She heard from manager Clare Pound and other staff and trustees about Home-Start’s recent funding challenges and the work going on to secure funds for it to continue operating long-term.

Mrs Gilmour was told although the group was associated with Home-Start UK, it operated independently and had to raise its own funds.

She said she would now work with the team to try to secure external funding for the charity.

Mrs Gilmour said Home-Start played a ‘crucial’ role for families and parents in the West Somerset area.

She met parents attending the Bump-Start babies group, and families taking part in a ‘community connect’ session designed to support those affected by the Minehead Middle School coach crash tragedy.

The free ‘connect’ sessions are running every Thursday during the summer holidays, allowing young people to connect with their friends.

Local organisations such as Moor Outdoor, Minehead Football Club, Somerset County Cricket Club, and Minehead Barbarians, are putting on free sessions each week to give young people an opportunity to enjoy a range of different sports.

Craft sessions have also been on offer, providing a huge variety of activities for children in the area.

Ms Pound said: “It was incredibly valuable to have the opportunity to speak with Rachel Gilmour about the funding challenges we face at Home-Start West Somerset.

“Like many small charities, we are working tirelessly to support local families, often with limited and uncertain resources.

“Being able to share these realities directly with our MP helps ensure the voices of rural communities and the voluntary sector are heard at a national level.”