Pioneering scheme to mentor struggling families begins in Stoke-on-Trent
The initiative is the first of its kind in the UK
A scheme that helps struggling families make it through tough times is being launched in Stoke-on-Trent.
The 'Family by Family' scheme is the first of its kind in the UK and looks to pair two families together to provide support for one another.
One family would be able to provide support to the other, and both families would be receive additional support from coaches to set long term goals and rebuild their lives.
Over 2,000 families have taken part in the scheme in Australia, where it was launched, and the hope is to reach more families unable to cope in Stoke.
Currently, twenty families are trialling the programme in Stoke, with initial results showing good signs.
The initiative is now looking for families who are either in need of support or can provide a helping hand to take part.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Abbey Marsh spoke about how the scheme helped to make her turn her life around.
"I struggled with drug abuse and we were homeless and on the streets. Now I've slowly turned my life around and now we've got two beautiful children and I've got my amazing husband," she said.
"I'm really happy now and I want to show other people that the mistakes we make in life are not set in stone."
Everyone in the family gets to be involved in the scheme, with children playing together while parents meet up for a much needed break.
"A phone call in the night time when you're stressed or a coffee break is all that sometimes they need," Mrs Marsh went on.
"Letting the kids open up to other children as well means that my children can tell me anything that needs to be said."
To take part in the scheme, any family with children under the age of 18 is eligible. As well as this, families of all shapes and sizes can participate, with no one turned away in order to provide support.