A new initiative to support vulnerable local families has been launched by a North Staffordshire charity.

The Home and Hope project has been introduced by Emmaus North Staffs and is being run by Community Support Workers Lucy Eghiaruwa and Naomi Yearde.

The project, which has received support from the National Lottery Community Fund, has been designed to compliment the services provided by the charity's referral scheme of supplying quality furniture items to vulnerable families.

With the funding and the appointment of Lucy and Naomi, extra services such as money and benefits advice, health, education and emotional support and workshops can now be carried out either at people's homes or at the charity's Hanley location.

Since April more than 200 individuals from across the Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme have received support.

Lucy said: "We have been running several different workshops since the project started where we have been able to identify the needs of local families.

"People come to us for support either via the charity's current referral system or by coming into the shop and talking to us in person.

"It is not always easy to ask for help and people can be quite isolated when not knowing where to turn or what support is out there which is why we started the Home and Hope project.

"In the last six months since starting the project, we have already support more than 200 people and the need is very much there.

"Our workshops have been a good way to provide support in educating people on things like finances and how to access support with food and furniture.

"We meet a lot of people who may have been provided with a property, but have no means of getting furniture for themselves - which is heartbreaking really."

One way in which Lucy and Naomi are aiming to reach more people in need over the coming months is by linking in with other local organisations.

Lucy added: "We are already in talks with several other charities and community groups to see if there are ways in which we can collaborate to support more people together.

"If we can find those links together then we will be able to help more people seek help with finances as well as household items and food."

John Webbe, Executive Lead of Emmaus North Staffs, said: "The support from the National Lottery Community Fund has been a great help in enabling us to provide extra services to local families.

"The work Lucy and Naomi have already done since joining our charity has been incredible and we are looking forward to expanding on this together for the future."

More free-to-attend workshops will be taking place at the charity in the coming months and Lucy and Naomi are also planning on visiting more people out in the community.

For more information about the Home and Hope project email: [email protected] or telephone 01782 846111.