Certainly, for one local mother, the Home-Start Craigavon scheme has been a life-line as she copes on her own with a child with health problems. Elaine Boyce has been receiving support for herself and son Harrison (17 months) for the last 10 months. Her Home-Start volunteer is Lorraine Whiteway who has been volunteering with the charity for nearly two years, after finding some extra time on her hands when her own son Ben - now aged six - started school.

She has proved an invaluable source of support to Elaine whose son suffers from cystic fibrosis. "Elaine does an amazing job, but sometimes she gets little sleep because she has to nebulise Harrison and prepare special food sachets which can be both draining and time-consuming," said Lorraine. "I can help with these practical tasks, as well as providing emotional support and friendship."

As Elaine points out, "Being a parent is one of the hardest jobs in the world. Being a single parent and having to cope alone is tougher still." Her health visitor first told her about the voluntary Homestart group and she has been receiving weekly visits since her son was about seven months old. It has given her the opportunity to enjoy the simple things like having a shower without rushing and worrying, or tidying up around the house - basicalaly the time to do the normal things which everyone else takes for granted.

In addition to the practical help offered by Home-Start volunteers, Elaine stressed it was also just as important to have someone to chat to and share problems with - "I look forward to Lorraine's visits, not just to have a break, but also because of the friendship she brings to my home," she said. "It is great to have someone to chat to, someone to share the good times with and also the not-so-good times."

Home-Start is the Uk's leading family support charity and has been supporting families in the UK since 1973. It provides a unique service – recruiting and training volunteers to support parents with young children at home. Across the UK, more than 15,000 Home-Start volunteers visit families at home each week, supporting parents in situations as diverse as isolation, bereavement, multiple births, illness, disability or simply those who are just finding parenting a struggle.

"Our volunteers provide non-judgemental, practical and emotional support and help build confidence for families in the Portadown, Brownlow and Lurgan areas," said Deborah Millar, local Home-Start co-ordinator. "We are currently celebrating 10 years of supporting local families and our volunteers are all parents themselves, so they understand that sometimes, parents just need a break.

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"Some parents without an extended family network or large circle of helpful friends, don't get a break until their children go to nursery.