A CHARITY for disabled people has received a big boost thanks to a fund.

Dial South Worcestershire picked up three of 280 packages of support fromWorcestershire County Council's Changing Futures Fund.

The charity offers a free, impartial and confidential information, advice and welfare benefit service for disabled people, their families and carers.

Changing Futures was set up as part of the county council's commitment to supporting the voluntary and community sector (VCS) to develop strong, sustainable organisations. The council set aside a special fund of £750,000 in 2012 to deliver a range of targeted support packages. The types of support packages include areas like human resources, financial planning, marketing, start-up advice and new ways of working.

Dial was one of 31 organisations to take up the financial sustainability package, one of 20 to do the marketing and joined 22 others in taking up the understanding and setting outcomes packages.

Coun Lucy Hodgson, cabinet member for localism and communities, said: "This is an excellent example where an organisation has been able to take advantage of more than one support package to really totally review how they are run now and what the opportunities are for the future. I would urge any other voluntary or community organisations to take advantage of the obvious benefits this fund brings."

For more information about the Changing Futures Fund visit worcestershire.gov.uk/voluntary and then click on 'Changing Futures Fund' or call Suzy James, VCS Co-ordinator on 01905 728650 or email cff@worcestershire.gov.uk .