'Amazing' for mums to share stories with Kate

The Princess of Wales visited Home-Start Oxford on Thursday

Mums who are supported by an Oxford charity said it was an "amazing experience" to share their stories with Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Catherine played with young children and discussed issues around family relationships with parents who use the Home-Start Centre in Oxford on Thursday.

It came after the princess warned that an overload of smartphones and computer screens was creating an "epidemic of disconnection" that disrupted family life.

As well as offering somewhere for children to play, Home-Start provides emotional and practical support for parents who may be struggling.

Jasmine, who spoke with the princess during her visit, said it had been "just an amazing experience", and that it was "easy to forget that she's a mum just like us".

"I was able to share with her my experiences of being a parent and it was nice to talk about how Home-Start has really re-lit a spark in me," Jasmine said.

"Home-Start has encouraged me every step of the way - they've worked with me to overcome so much and it's meant the world to us," she added.

The princess met parents and played with young children during her visit

Another mum, Lisa said she had spoken to Catherine about "what bringing up young children is like and how important groups like this are".

"The group is something we look forward to every week - I've met friends here which is obviously great for me but I've also watched how our children have developed, and that's really important," she added.

Catherine launched the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in 2021, with the aim of raising awareness and gathering research evidence about the importance of the first few years of a child's life.

In her essay published ahead of Thursday's visit, the princess wrote: "While digital devices promise to keep us connected, they frequently do the opposite."

Smartphones and gadgets have become a "constant distraction, fragmenting our focus" and undermining the time that families spend together, she added.

Home-Start Oxford's CEO Katharine Barber said: "There's such synergy between that message about connection and compassionate, caring support for young children and the role that we provide at Home-Start."

"Our volunteers are living and breathing that, day in day out," she added.