CHARITIES supporting families going through the trauma of separation have received a financial boost to help them build stronger communities.

The Headland Future, in Hartlepool, has been awarded £460,778 from the Big Lottery Fund as part of its Reaching Communities programme.

My Sister's Place, Middlesbrough, picked up £123,522 to help it support victims of domestic abuse by providing counselling sessions and confidence building projects.

The money comes at a time when financial difficulties are creating an extra burden on couples struggling to cope with the breakdown of family life.

The project, delivered by Headland Future through the Family Separation Partnership, will focus on areas which have the highest child poverty, providing debt and budgeting services, benefits advice, and counselling for children who have witnessed domestic violence. Parents benefiting from the project will be trained as volunteers to support other parents.

Graham Alton, the charity's chief executive, said: "We know parents are often the best people to support each other, so this project will train parents to help other families in similar situations.

"This is a really exciting opportunity for members of the community to take the lead in supporting each other.

"Big Lottery Fund grants are crucial to organisations like Headland Future. We 've provided youth and family support services in Hartlepool for more than 13 years, and through working with and consulting local parents and children, we've built up a good picture of some of the extra support families need."

Becky Rogerson, director at My Sister's Place, said: "We are seeing more and more families needing our help and this money will ensure we are able to continue supporting people through these difficult times.

"This money will help us to work closer within the community and enable us to provide support to family members who are concerned about relatives experiencing domestic abuse."

Contact Headland Future on 01429-869247 or My Sister's Place on 01642-241864.