A DORSET charity has launched a campaign with hit TV show The Masked Singer to encourage families who are struggling to reach out and ask for help.

Home-Start in north Dorset is urging parents to take off their metaphorical mask and talk about the reality of raising children, particularly during the pandemic.

To help raise awareness of the campaign organisers have partnered with ITV’s the Masked Singer, a reality show where judges attempt to guess the identities of famous faces from their singing voice - with the television show opting to pick Home-Start as one of their chosen charities.

Dorset Echo: Maria receives support from a Homestart volunteer Michele with her 4 childrren. (Picture © Andy Aitchison / HomeStartUK)

A spokesperson for charity said: “Research shows parents still feel a huge stigma around asking for help, with nearly half of all UK parents admitting they always or often feel ashamed of asking for support, especially when there are mental health concerns.

“Our new campaign encourages parents and caregivers to share some of the day to day funny, memorable and challenging things which happen to all of us as part of being a parent – with the hashtag #BehindTheMask.”

During episodes of The Masked Singer, which is produced by Bandicoot, being aired Home-Starts across the country will encourage people to open up about the reality of parenting and urge others to check in with a family member, neighbour, work colleague or friend, to see if they need help.

Bandicoot managing director Derek McLean and creative director Daniel Nettleton said: “We are delighted to partner with ITV to offer a platform for Home-Start to reach our loyal army of fans.

“We’ve got the licence to be even more bonkers than ever before with a new series packed with surprising names and musical mayhem.”

Home-Start North Dorset is a community network of trained volunteers who support families with young children through their challenging times particularly families struggling with postnatal depression, isolation, physical health problems, bereavement and many other issues.

The Home-Start spokesperson added: “We hope The Masked Singer provides some much-needed light relief but also starts an all-important conversation about seeking help and where to go for help if it is needed.

“The need is growing as more families than ever before are finding they need support. Parents will be encouraged to share their honest, unfiltered parenting experiences on social media using the hashtag.”