A project to help families with young children in Didcot is able to continue for another three years thanks to Lottery funding.

Didcot Umbrella Project has been able to appoint Di Chesterman as its new community development worker thanks to a £85,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.

Di Chesterman

The scheme was originally launched because of concerns highlighted by education and health professionals about the lack of facilities for lone parents and families on new housing estates at Ladygrove and Mendip Heights. With Government help, the umbrella group was set up.

Former teacher Ginnie Herbert, whose three-year contract ended in March, helped young families form their own self-help groups, including toddler groups and playschemes.

Mrs Chesterman, 39, a mother of three who lives in Didcot, said the groups continued to flourish. She added: "The new funding will enable me to carry on the successful work started by Ms Herbert."