Charity launches childcare support scheme

Mum Beth Carpenter regularly uses the virtual family spaces offered by the charity

A charity has begun piloting a new project in Devon that aims to support new mums with childcare advice.

Children's charity Barnardo's is offering free advice and support to parents in Plymouth, giving them the chance to connect with childcare experts and other people in the same situation.

The organisation has provisionally rolled out the scheme in three locations across England until the end of March - it will also run in Cumbria and Surrey, as well as Plymouth.

New mother Beth Carpenter regularly uses the virtual family spaces offered by the charity and says it "gives you that safe space to talk about how you're feeling, what's going on and to learn new things".

Karen Marlton has been involved with setting up the scheme

"For me, it's given me even more confidence to go out and do more things with the baby, having a little springboard to start venturing out and joining communities."

Parents and carers can sign up to various virtual workshops on their baby's nutrition, health and development.

Barnardo's team manager, Karen Marlton, said the charity was keen to use the virtual world to help encourage real-world contact.

She said: "To actually engage virtually is enabling families to not only engage with Barnardo's staff but also other families."

The pilot scheme runs until the end of March, at which point it will be down to the local authorities to decide if they want to buy-in to the idea of the virtual family space, Barnardo's said.