A CHARITY that works in deprived communities across the UK has won funding to offer help to young mums in Blackburn.

The Centre for Society Building was given £13,500 from European Social Funding via the Workers’ Education Association.

The cash has been used to launch a project to engage and give intensive support to mothers, mainly aged 19 to 25, who live in Blackburn and Darwen.

The project, that is due to run on Tuesday mornings during the autumn and spring terms at Bank Top Neighbourhood Centre, will use group activity and one to one tailored personal development to build confidence, self-esteem and identify transferable skills.

John Roberts, who is a director at the Centre for Society Building, said: “The overall aim of the project is to engage young mums, some who are single parents, who have become isolated in the local community.

“Many of them lack confidence and self-esteem, are used to failure and live in abject poverty on benefits.

“They lack ambition and need personalised support and reassurance to progress in their lives.

“During the project we will provide free childcare and give help with transport.”

The sessions will run from 10am to 1pm on Tuesday mornings from next week.

Those going along will be offered personalised support, including coaching and mentoring, as well as free childcare and transport if needed.

There is also the opportunity to network with other local parents and take part in local community activities.

Training allowances will be on offer, as well as the chance to learn new skills including iCT and develop future ambitions.

For further information contact John on 01254 773273 or Sinclair at the Cheethams on 07724 413072.