WHETHER it is advice on care packages, furniture for a new home or clothes for the family, Personalising Freedom can step in to help.

The community interest company was set up just two years ago, but has already built up a reputation for its independent advice and its small network of community shops.

And now it is one of the finalists for the Social Responsibility Commitment to Blackburn with Darwen Award.

Founder and managing director Liz Crook said the company had two basic objectives: alleviating community poverty in Blackburn and Darwen and providing a support service for people who receive a care package through their local council.

She said: “We support people in making choices about their care and how it’s provided. Because we’re not aligned to any budget we can spend time with the client and find out exactly what they want and then advise them on what’s available. It allows people to have more choice and control and takes pressure off the carer.”

Liz is passionate about the service provided by Personalising Freedom and even used her own money to pay rent when the first community shop opened.

But she said that the volunteers – about 50 in total – were the main reason she had put in the nomination.

She said: “What they do has a tremendous impact on the community; it’s very powerful.”