A CHARITY which supports young families welcomed visitors from Japan last week.

Home-Start East Lothian, which is based in the Early Learning Centre, at Sanderson’s Wynd Primary School, welcomed six workers from Japan’s own Home-Start projects, which are based on the UK charity’s model.

And they were able to show them how they operate as well as hearing about how their services are provided on the other side of the world.

Katy Pollock. senior co-ordinator for Home-Start East Lothian, said the visit had been a huge success.

She said: “We invited six of the group, who are in the UK, to come and visit us and were lucky enough to find translators to help. It was interesting to hear how Home-Start worked in Japan, where it has only been going for seven years, and they were very impressed by what they saw and the work we are doing.”

“We were delighted to have the group visit and meet them.”

Members of the Home-Start team hosted the six visitors in their homes on Thursday night before they spent the morning at the centre.

The trip was funded by Hisah Endo, director of the Love & Grace Welfare Aid Foundation in Japan.

Councillor Shamin Akhtar, East Lothian Council’s spokesperson for education and children’s wellbeing, attended the visit by the Japanese delegation.

She said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Home-Start Japan delegation to East Lothian. They found it hugely beneficial to see how Home-Start East Lothian operates and the way in which they support families and their children across the county.

“It was great for them to see the good work of Home-Start East Lothian at first hand. A huge thanks to Katy Pollock and her team for organising the visit and a special thanks to Yoshi from Tranent Pipe Band who was one of the translators.”