A mother-of-six released from prison with nowhere to live has told BBC News Online how she has been rescued by a charity for homeless families in north Wales.

Save the Family claims to be the only organisation in Wales which aims to keep destitute mums and dads together with their children.

As soon as we said we were coming back to Plas Bellin, it was the first time in months that I saw smiles on my children's faces Paula, resident

The Plas Bellin unit in Flintshire caters for more than 120 people - including 70 children - from across the region.

Heather from Liverpool - who spent her first Christmas out of prison at the unit - said the charity has enabled her to look to the future and plan a new start for 2003.

"The charity has really helped us get on our feet," she said.

"I like it here, but I want to move into our own home next year."

Heather said she found out about the charity while in jail.

"I was in prison because both my husband and me had been involved in drugs and the supply of drugs.

"When we got locked up we lost our home and we didn't have a house.

Plas Bellin Hall is set in 10 acres of land

"I'd never heard of Plas Bellin before, it was a key worker at Styal prison who gave me some leaflets about it," she said.

Heather moved into one of the self-contained cottages within the grounds of the unit on the day she was released from jail.

Seven months after she arrived, her husband followed.

Safe haven

She said the charity has helped keep the family together.

"When we were away the children were all over the place.

"My eldest daughter took sole responsibility of our little one."

"Two of the other girls were in separate homeless hostels and the other two were with a friend," she said.

Many residents, like mother-of-eight Paula, find themselves returning to Plas Bellin.

She said: "My husband's in prison and I was living in halfway accommodation.

"I was having a lot of trouble on the estate I was on and I was getting a lot of abuse.

The children can be taught on site

"The day I was leaving there were police cars and five policemen coming to get me and my children off the estate.

"As soon as we said we were coming back to Plas Bellin, it was the first time in months that I saw smiles on my children's faces," she said.

The annual running costs of the unit are estimated at £500,000 - organisers need to raise £600 to maintain the facilities on a daily basis.

Set in 10-and-a-half acres of land the old hall has been turned into a tranquil haven for some of the most vulnerable members of society.