Families charity Home-Start Wessex has welcomed best-selling children’s author Sarah Lean as its new Patron.

She first became involved with the charity last year after being asked to help judge its writing competition.

The contest encouraged children and adults to share their stories and use storytelling and reading as a way of bringing families together.

Sarah said: “I was very happy to be invited to be part of the writing competition and amazed by the standard of entries.

“Both the children and adults alike shared moving and entertaining stories and poems about family life.”

During the judging process, Sarah became more aware of the vital work that Home-Start Wessex does in the local area and just how life-changing its volunteer services can be.

She said: “I have had the privilege to meet and talk with some of the team at Home-Start Wessex where the atmosphere surrounding everyone is positive, safe, warm and welcoming.

“The space for growth that they all provide is extraordinary and palpable.

“I am in awe of the work they do for families and am absolutely delighted to be asked to be a Patron.

“It will be my privilege to contribute in any way I can.”

Caroline Pope, pictured, Community & Corporate Engagement Manager at Home-Start Wessex, said: “Sarah really went above and beyond in her role as judge of the writing competition.

“She was incredibly generous with her time and I could see what a huge asset she could be to the charity.

“I am thrilled that she has agreed to become a Patron.”

Based near Wimborne, Sarah will be an active supporter of Home-Start Wessex, helping to raise awareness of the charity.

Her first book, A Dog Called Homeless, in 2012 has been published in many other countries around the world, as well as winning the Hazelgrove Book Award and the prestigious Schneider Family Middle School Book Award in the US.

She continues to write children’s books, with her latest story, The Good Bear, being described by The Week Junior as ‘Beautifully written with lovely illustrations, this heart-warming animal story is a real delight – perfect for cosy winter reading’.

Home-Start Wessex has recently rebranded to better represent the growing numbers of families it supports.

Previously known as Home-Start South East Dorset, the new name reflects the wide area it serves, running across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and the Isle of Purbeck up to Blandford and Cranborne and across the Wiltshire and Hampshire borders.

Since 1995 the charity has helped more than 3,500 local families and supported over 10,000 children through a network of over 600 volunteers, offering friendship, practical support and emotional advice to families facing difficulties including poor mental health, postnatal depression, disability, domestic abuse, bereavement, isolation and multiple births.

The service is in more demand than ever and the charity is searching for more volunteers.

If you can commit to two to three hours each week to help transform the lives of young children and their parents in the community, then please contact michelle@homestartwessex.org.uk.

No special qualifications are necessary and full training is provided.

• homestartwessex.org.uk