A PROJECT aimed at supporting parents and families in schools around Lydney received a £277,000 boost from the Big Lottery.

The Lydney Cluster Welcome project (TLC) starts a range of classes and drop-in sessions this month.

The project is based at Severnbanks Primary School in Lydney but works with five others in the area: Aylburton, Bream, Lydney Church of England, Primrose Hill and Yorkley.

The project aims to support parents to make better choices for their families to improve well-being and job chances.

The schools are working in partnership with Gloucestershire-based charity and the project received £277,531 from the Big Lottery's Reaching Communities programme.

The project employs three members of staff and works with parents and the wider community to provide information and support at a convenient time and place.

Head of Severnbanks and project manager Kate Newell said: "We recognise that being a parent or carer is often far from easy and can be a challenging role. Parents can feel isolated and overwhelmed and would benefit from opportunities to meet with other parents, make new friends and get out of the house.

"The TLC Welcome project will provide a meeting place to socialise, pick up skills, learn about healthy lifestyles and make new friends.

"We have a base at Severnbanks School where parents can access information, get some practical support or just call in for a cup of tea. If you can't get to the school we can get to you, and we will be in your local school too.

"We are particularly keen in learning what skills and talents are out there in our community that perhaps could be used in developing this project further.

"We are also looking for volunteers for be-friending other parents for which training will be given."

The project includes tea and toast drop-in sessions and arts and crafts workshops on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, help with maths and literacy on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, keep fit and emergency life support on Wednesdays and Change4Life, exercise for kids, healthy life for adults and classes for a qualification in social and personal development on Thursdays.

For more information contact Kate Newel on 842789.