Online value retailer, Studio.co.uk, has today announced that family support charity, Home-Start UK, is its new charity partner for the next 12 months.

The partnership will see Studio support more than 500 families through Home-Start UK’s network of 13,500 volunteers across the country.

Home-Start UK’s network of trained community volunteers provide tailored support to around 56,000 children in 27,000 families each year. The charity understands that no two families are the same. Whether it’s a struggle with post-natal depression, isolation, physical health problems, bereavement, or feeling generally overwhelmed, Home-Start UK works to help families overcome any challenges they face.

The retailer, which employs over 1,500 people across its sites in Accrington, Clayton, Burnley, Middleton and Failsworth, has long been a supporter of community groups and has a history of supporting charities at a national and local level.

When the pandemic first hit, Studio helped frontline NHS staff across Lancashire with their increased hygiene routines by donating thousands of towels and pillowcases. The business also donated over 20,000 stationery and home learning items to 24 local schools and set aside 10 per cent of sales of all Rainbow and Heart clothing items to the NHS Charities Together.

Studio’s colleagues are passionate about charity fundraising and over the years have raised vital funds through fun, interactive activities, ranging from a jailbreak event to one colleague dressing as an elf for 30 days.

Paul Kendrick, Managing Director of Studio.co.uk, said: “At Studio we want to support communities across the UK by helping them to thrive and we are therefore incredibly excited to be partnering with Home-Start UK. The charity has incredible passion and an outstanding track record in helping families and supporting them in getting back up on their feet and overcome challenges they may face.

“Charity has always been important to us and the pandemic has served to highlight how vital it is for organisations like ours to give back.

“When it came to selecting our new charity partner, we asked our colleagues and our customers for their input and put the final shortlist out to a vote, to ensure their voices are heard and used to shape the process.”

Peter Grigg, Chief Executive of Home-Start UK, said: “We are delighted to be selected as Studio’s charity partner and look forward to the impact our relationship will have on families and communities across the country.

“The pandemic has magnified challenges for parents and children and lockdowns have created so much additional pressure. It means supporting families is more crucial than ever. Our roots in communities mean we are well placed to stand alongside families in responding to these challenges. With the help of Studio I’m thrilled that we will be able to reach even more parents with Home-Start’s compassionate support.”

The new relationship between Studio and Home-Start UK is off to a flying start with a calendar of events and activity being set in motion.