A FAMILY charity is offering free video and telephone counselling for parents during the coronavirus crisis.

Dorset-based DorPIP, a charity which helps nurture family bonds, is determined to help families in need of therapeutic support with schools and nurseries shutting down.

The free 30 minute video or telephone support sessions, designed to help combat the effects of increasing social isolation, are on offer from Monday, March 23.

DorPIP founder Viv Allen said 'extraordinary times require extraordinary measures'.

She added: “At this point I’m unsure of how long we’ll be able to keep the service free; but we felt as a charity that we had to offer something. In light of the government’s advice to keep a social distance - and in some cases to self-isolate - it is vital to ensure that parents-to-be and those with young children feel as fully supported as possible.

"It’s a known fact that socialising as a parent with newborns and young infants is beneficial to the health and wellbeing of the whole family."

Mrs Allen said that now socialising with others in restricted, she has been 'delighted' to see how communities are reaching out to support each other.

"We can add to this with the offer of an on-line therapy sessions, so that parents have a safe, confidential space to talk about their concerns,” she said.

The charity, which has a number of qualified and expert parent-infant counsellors available, is urging fathers and mothers, who are currently pregnant, or with children under the age of two, to reach out to them for support.

Mrs Allen added: “If you feel you need a space to safely express your thoughts and feelings, especially as pressure and stress builds within the family home during this uncertain period, please get in touch.”

DorPIP receive no statutory funding and rely solely on charitable grants and donations. If you would like more information on how to help support the charity, visit their website.

To find out more about the free sessions, visit dorpip.org.uk