CHESTER-BASED homeless families charity Save the Family is celebrating after being awarded almost £218,000 in National Lottery funding to support its work with homeless and troubled families.

This funding will enable the charity to support families once they move back into the community through a structured outreach programme.

Save the Family has opened its doors to homeless families for over 40 years. At the charity’s site on the outskirts of Chester, there are 26 residential units where homeless families can come and receive support through a mentoring and positive role model approach.

The overall aim of the charity is to support parents to become positive and confident role models for children to help break the cycle of inter-generational problems they face.

The charity provides a safe, supported community for homeless and troubled families where safeguarding is paramount, to keep families together and help them create a positive future.

Tracy White, general manager of the charity, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised the work we do here.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the players of the National Lottery because, without them we wouldn’t be able to expand the support we can provide to the families."

Save the Family receives no government funding and relies heavily on the local community through fundraising, donations and volunteering.

For more information, visit www.savethefamily.org.uk, call 01244 409100 or email info@savethefamily.uk.com.