TWO volunteers for Home-Start Wyre Forest have been honoured with long service awards.

Heather Hollis and Jill Acton were awarded with 15-year long service awards at the charity's Annual General Meeting on May 9.

Home-Start Wyre Forest, which has been operating for more than 20 years in the district, offers weekly support and help to families who are experiencing difficult times.

Retired primary school teacher, Heather, is the scheme's longest serving home visiting volunteer, while management committee member, Jill, is the scheme's safeguarding children advisor - alongside her professional child protection roles with the NHS and as a consultant trainer for the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Board.

Belinda Darby, Home-Start manager, said: "All our volunteers give so much, week in week out, but the last 15 years these two ladies have been instrumental in enabling us to achieve all we have done and to go the extra mile for local families.

"They are wonderful role models to us all of how the skills they had gained professionally can have a huge impact when utilised through social action and volunteering.

"We are delighted to celebrate this achievement with them to recognise and acknowledge their contribution."

Home-Start Wyre Forest supported 471 local children last year through a team of 122 volunteers and six staff.

For more information, call 01562 825896 or visit homestartwyreforest.org.uk.