FAMILIES in Swindon are getting support and advice thanks to a £500 grant from Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op.

The Co-op Community Divi-dend is being awarded to The Welcome Centre, an organisation that supports families in Park North and Park South.

The money will be used to fund outreach work with local hostels and includes a positive parenting course for families with youngsters under five, to be run in a Park South hostel with the aim of raising confidence among parents and to offer problem-solving ideas.

Lyn Thompson, Welcome Centre spokeswoman, said: "The Positive Parenting course has been identified by health and social services, and also the probation service, as a major factor in preventing family difficulties.

"The advice and support has been shown to create more confident and able parents."

The Community Dividend Scheme is part of the policy of the Oxford, Swindon and Glou-cester Co-op's which returns at least three per cent of its profits to the community which it serves.