A MOTHER of six, from Launceston, whose three-year-old son has complex needs, is receiving valuable support from family charity ‘Home-Start Kernow’.

Gemma Chalkley and her partner Daniel are kept busy with their family of six; Chloe aged 12, Megan aged 10, seven-year-old twins Hollie and Maisie, four-year-old Freya and three-year-old Harry.

Things became more complicated for the family when, at just two weeks old, Harry was admitted to Bristol Children’s Hospital with heart failure. He was subsequently kept on a life support machine for many weeks.

After a ten-month stay in hospital, Harry eventually made enough recovery to return to his home in Cornwall. However, he also has a complex range of needs, including regular medication and Down’s Syndrome.

Gemma said: “Harry needs my care 24/7. He’s getting better, and has less and less hospital appointments, but looking after him is challenging.”

The family was referred to Home-Start Kernow, who provide support from their health visiting team to families in need.

The charity matches local volunteers with parenting experience to families who need an extra helping hand for a few hours a week.

Gemma Chalkley and her family were matched with mother of three Phyl Gates, who is from Harrowbarrow.

Phyl is an experienced mother who is well versed in the challenges of raising a young family. Phyl has three children of her own Shaun, Jess and Eleanor — who have now all grown up and flown the nest.

Gemma said: “Phyl is lovely, she’s a great help. I sometimes struggle to ask her to do the simplest things, like folding laundry. But if I’m having a low day, I really look forward to her coming round so we can have a cup of tea and a chat. Harry is really growing to Phyl and he’s so happy around her.”

Phyl first volunteered for Home-Start after reading an article about the charity in a newspaper — she has now been supporting Gemma and her family since March 2015.

Phyl said: “If you’ve got time, it’s something that’s very rewarding. Harry is a beautiful character and it’s so rewarding to see him grow and develop. Kids have so much to offer. It’s more recently that we’ve started to do things. We started off just having a coffee and a chat, and helping with things like the laundry — with a family of eight there’s a lot of washing. I also help to take care of the younger children. It’s the little things that can help make a big difference.”

Home-Start Kernow is currently looking for more volunteers in the Launceston area. If anyone thinks they have time to support a local family in need they are asked to visit the website www.homestartkernow.org.uk or call 01209 214490.