A CHURCH has been awarded lottery cash to help give residents a spring in their step.

Spring Vale Methodist Church in Watery Lane, Darwen, will use the £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All pot to provide activities for the over-50s, known as the Spring in Your Step project.

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Church member David Foster said it was important for the church to reach out to those who feel isolated and said the grant would allow them to make more people feel part of something fun.

He said: “We are particularly interested in reaching out to those who are socially isolated in our community.

“People who find themselves on their own most days because of life circumstance have the chance now to come along to Spring in Your Step and be a part of the weekly activity.

“They can engage as much as they wish. There is no pressure in joining in an activity if they just wish to chat and make friends.”

Awards for All is a National Lottery grants programme which funds small, community-based projects across the UK.

It offers funding of between £300 and £10,000, particularly for projects which help to improve health and enable people to become more active. The money will pay for a wide range of activities on a rolling programme at the church, which includes guest speakers, film afternoons, craft sessions, table top games and table tennis.

Minister Deacon Dave Keegan said: “The initial idea for the project was to offer a space for those over 50 years old to meet, chat and to engage in activities which are not only entertaining but go some way in keeping people fit and active, both mentally and physically.”

Spring in Your Step has also had support from Blackburn with Darwen Council which offered to help get the word out to those who would enjoy the project.

The group meets every Thursday from 1pm to 3pm and the project will run from this month to July next year.

If the project is successful the church will look at extending it.

Contact the church on 01254 678858.