THE founders of a community group in Hyndburn are celebrating after being recognised at a glitzy award ceremony in Blackpool.

Spring Into Action was highly commended in the Small Social Enterprise of the Year category in the annual SELNET (Social Enterprise Lancashire Network) Society in Enterprise awards.

The project was founded two years ago by directors Lucy Hamlin, Rachael McHugh and Dawn Vickers, after they spotted a gap in the market for quality services for people with learning difficulties.

It works in partnership with other Lancashire service providers to offer a range of services to people with disabilities or specialist needs.

The trio said they were 'thrilled' to be again recognised at the awards ceremony after winning the New Social Enterprise award at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel in Clayton-le-Moors last year, and hopes awareness of the project will now be further boosted.

Since being launched in October 2012, grant funding worth more than £40,000 has been awarded to the group.

Lucy said: "To be awarded funding in our first year with no company trading record was a great achievement, but to be further awarded funding proves to us that we are delivering quality services to people with learning difficulties, and this award further reinforces that for our team."

To date, Spring into Action has worked with 80 young people and adults with learning disabilities, provided employment opportunities for seven people and volunteering opportunities for four people.

The group is looking for volunteers to work with the Fun, Fit and Food project, which was launched after funding was secured from The Big Lottery and British Heart Foundation.

After a short break, the healthy lifestyles project for adults with learning difficulties.

Rachael said: "The project has now been running for 12 months. We are looking for motivated volunteers to join this exciting project working with adults with learning disabilities to improve their health and wellbeing through fun activities, cook and eat and exercise sessions.”

For more information about what’s available and how to access Spring into Action’s projects and services, call Heather Fletcher on 07960 428702 or visit www.spring-projects.co.uk