ONCE a week, Lara Merkens-Dow spends a couple of hours chatting to a lonely mum over a cup of tea, taking a child carer swimming or going shopping with a family.

Although none of the tasks are out of the ordinary, they are vital to those who are helped by Family Action, which supports families will all sorts of problems, from mental illness to poverty.

One of the key jobs of the 140-year charity is its befriending scheme, where volunteers give up a little of their time to help families in need.

And the service is set to expand into Witney.

A £102,376 Big Lottery grant has enabled Family Action to set up the scheme over the next three years.

Mrs Merkens-Dow, who is co-ordinating the project in Witney, said: “The project has two main aims.

“Firstly, to reduce isolation and loneliness in families, to help where parents are not coping due to their child’s behaviour problems or their own mental or physical health problems and, secondly, to recruit local people who would like to put something back into their own community while getting training, new skills and a chance to try something new.

“I know there are different agencies who offer support to families but not every parent feels able to get the help they need — they may be afraid of what people may think of them and how they are coping or they may feel that professionals would not understand them.

“We know from our research that there are families in the area who are struggling with everyday life, with their children and with tasks most of us would consider easy.

“It can be difficult for us to imagine what it feels like trying to cope, especially if you have health or relationship problems and your children’s behaviour shows how unhappy they are too.”

The charity works with families with children up to the age of 19.

Befrienders support parents by listening to their problems, spending time with the children and helping with homework.

Mrs Merkens-Dow said: “I am looking for volunteers from Witney who have a good understanding of the problems families have to face and can offer practical help or a listening ear.”

Volunteers must be able to give about two hours of their time a week and be able to work confidentially.

Mrs Merkens-Dow first started volunteering four years ago.

In that time, the 41-year-old has been on different courses to learn more about what she may encounter as a befriender.

Mrs Merkens-Dow added: “It is not all about the kids and the families – volunteering gives me a real sense of satisfaction and makes me feel I am doing something worthwhile with my spare time.

“I have also got a lot more confident, did an NVQ in child care, and also got into paid employment.”

To find out more about befriending, email oxford.contact@family-action.org.uk or visit family-action.org.uk