A HAMPSHIRE charity on the brink of closure has told how a lifeline share in a windfall of more than £2 million will ensure it continues to help vulnerable parents.

Home-Start Gosport and Fareham was among organisations in the south to receive hundreds of thousands of pounds in National Lottery funding.

Louise Wheeldon, senior co-ordinator of the organisation, which provides emotional and practical support to parents with young children in Fareham and Gosport, told how the £305,357 meant the difference between potential closure and long-term survival.

“We’re over the moon,” she said.

“It will make an enormous difference.”

She said the charity’s finances meant it was reaching the point where it would have to consider closing early next year as it went into its reserves, but now its future was secure for three years.

And she said the money would allow them to reach even more parents by doubling volunteers.

Funds will focus on helping support those experiencing mental health issues.

Volunteers will be specially trained to support parents through weekly visits offering advice and building confidence, help to access services and accompanying them to appointments.

At present the service has 35 volunteers, recruited and trained by staff, who help around 30 parents, but there is a waiting list.

“There are some great support structures out there but it can be really difficult if you are feeling isolated and unwell to get that support,” she said.

“Because we meet the vulnerable people in our community and build trust we’re expertly placed to get them the extra help.”

She said with funding cuts to some mental health services leading them to limit treatment to more serious cases meaning that Home-Start would cater for the gap, helping prevent conditions from becoming more serious.

Other lucky winners included West End Youth Club based at The Youthhouse, in Moorgreen Road, West End, which received £95,792.

It will use this to run a new youth club in the Bitterne Park ward, which aims to tackle disadvantage and prevent anti-social behaviour with free activities for secondary school age children.

Sessions will help young people to build skills like cookery, CV writing and IT while tackling issues including bullying, relationships, drugs and alcohol.

It is hoped this will be up and running in the spring.

Henry Cort Community College in Fareham was awarded £10,000 to provide weekend fun and social activities for the community and Ringwood Town Council £8,630 towards equipment for its new youth facility.

The Olive Branch Christian Counselling Service Company, in Winchester, won £5,044 to refurbish its consulting rooms while Tower House Horses Community Interest Company based near Micheldever received £9,840 to provide therapeutic activities to those recovering from alcohol and drug misuse.

Money was awarded through the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All and Reaching Communities programmes.