FAMILIES affected by drug and alcohol use will get extra support after a city charity received a huge grant.

Parent Support Link has been awarded £249,339 in Lottery funding to help them continue their work supporting people across Hampshire whose lives are affected by a loved one's drug or alcohol use.

The cash gives the charity based in Vespasian Road, Bitterne Manor five years of security after its funding was cut by Southampton City Council in November.

It will also allow it to develop their services, which include a 24 hour phone line, workshops and group support sessions and one-to-one support either at the centre, in the community or at the person's home.

Service manager Christine Tebano said: "This is a big recognition of the work that we do.

"There has been a lot of research into various areas showing that if someone is in recovery of drugs and alcohol they will be more successful if they have a supportive network.

"Also, to live with someone who's using drugs and alcohol is very stressful and often has detrimental effects on that person's health and wellbeing.

"Many people don't think about it and it's not until it actually comes to that that you have to think about it. That's why we're here and the National Lottery has recognised the benefits of this project, not only to families but the community.

"The money gives us security that we never really had before and it will help the project to grow because now we have the core security we can work at other ways of supporting people."

The charity, which was set up in 1994, works with hundreds of families every year and during 2014 they received 1,300 calls to their helpline alone.

The majority of people who come to them for support and information are mothers, but they also see high numbers of grandparents, spouses and siblings of drug and alcohol users.

Parent Support Link relies on a dedicated team volunteers who help its support groups as well as its fundraising team who put on events across the county to raise cash and awareness.

For more information or to volunteer call 023 8039 9764 or visit parentsupportlink.org.uk.