AN ORGANISATION helping families with children under give could merge to improve effectiveness.

It was revealed at the annual meeting of Home Start’s Braintree branch that a merger may be taking place with six other branches in Essex.

The merger will see Home Start’s Maldon branch merge with Braintree, Uttlesford, Chelmsford, Harlow, Basildon and Brentwood.

The new organisation would be renamed Home Start Essex, and the purpose of the proposed merger is to improve effectiveness.

Kathryn O’Byrne, scheme manager at Maldon Home Start, said: “I can confirm in relation to the merger of Home Start Maldon, along with six other Home Start schemes delivering services to families in Essex, into Home Start Essex, the foremost intention is that the service will remain unchanged for families in Maldon, and across Essex.

“The same volunteers will continue to visit and support families and there will be a local office in Maldon with family co-ordinators working from this and assessing and reviewing family’s needs and progress as we do no.”

There is no time line in place for the merger, but one is being worked on.

Maldon town mayor, Richard Miller praised the charity and the work it does in the town.

He said: "Home Start is an excellent organisation supporting families locally in Maldon.

"I am very pleased that they will remain in Maldon after the merger and continue to recruit volunteers and co ordinators to support the families in the town.

"I continue to wish them well as an organisation doing a lot of good in our area."