Families congregated in Launceston’s Coronation Park this week, to enjoy a community picnic. 

The event, organised by Home-Start Kernow and Launceston Library, was visited by Cornwall Library mobile van and Healthy Cornwall, offering support to families and providing activities for all to enjoy. 

Home-Start Kernow has been working in Cornwall for more than 20 years. The group’s purpose is to support families where at least one child is under five.  Anyone who fits that criteria and feels they need some support can reach out and find out what is available in their area. 

A spokesperson for the organisation said: “We understand that parenting can be rewarding but we also know that it can at times be challenging, exhausting and never ending and because of this we offer peer support for families, using  trained volunteers who have a lived experience of parenting and all the bumps in the road that can happen along the parenting journey.   

“Post-lockdown it was evident that parents and children needed time to socialise and rebuild community within their locality and Home-Start Kernow have been delighted to work in partnership with other organisations in supporting families to attend groups throughout Cornwall.  One group that has been set up almost a year is the Launceston Stay and Play Group and so it was our pleasure to host the second Launceston Home-Start Kernow Picnic last week. 

“We are very thankful to our partners in the community who work with us to improve the lives of  local families.” 

Shelley Vanstone, the local Tesco community champion supported the picnic with biscuit decorating, fresh fruit and juices for families.         

A spokesperson from Launceston Library added: “The library wants to thank our wonderful volunteers Niamh, Matilda, Alissandra and Rosie who’ve handed out stickers, and run activities while listening to children talk about their books.”