WORCESTER Community Trust has been awarded a grant from Big Lottery’s Reaching Communities Fund.

The £158,000 cash boost will be used to fund a two-year project to support vulnerable and disadvantaged women.

It will help them build the skills and confidence they need to move into volunteering and employment. 

The work continues the great work started by the recently closed ASHA Women’s Centre.

It offers women the opportunity to learn new skills whilst working towards a certificate in volunteering.

It is designed to bring women together in a safe environment and help them to improve self-confidence and resilience, as well as build up a local support network?

Helen Scarrett, Chief Executive of Worcester Community Trust said: "This funding will make a massive difference to women who struggle with low confidence, social isolation and little in the way of qualifications.

"It will give them skills and confidence to become mentors for other women and also volunteers in the community.

"It is great to know that women in Worcester will still have a safe, confidence building place to meet to develop their support networks."

Some of the women who were involved in the ASHA project are already attending sewing classes.

The group say they are looking forward to new courses and new opportunities working with Worcester Community Trust.

The first drop in session for women who would like to get involved in the project will be at the Tolly hub, Rose Avenue, Tolladine, Worcester between 11am and 2pm tomorrow (Friday).