A GROUP which hopes to transform the lives of hundreds of vulnerable people has been given £500,000 of lottery cash.

Accrington-based social enterprise Community Solutions North West will receive £493,123 to provide a ‘wide range of activities to promote health and wellbeing, and provide personal development opportunities’.

The organisation is a safety net for around 400 adults in Hyndburn and Burnley.

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Part of its role is to offer money and parenting advice and provide a lifeline for vulnerable families.

Altogether, nine charities and schools in East Lancashire have been granted £569,112 in total in the latest round of Big Lottery Funding.

Community Solutions founder and managing director Deborah Clark said: “We are determined that this award will have a transformational effect on hundreds of lives.

“We get referrals from the NHS, GPs, housing associations and dozens of other agencies and the funding will enable us to continue and expand our services over the next three years.”

St Saviour’s Community Primary School in Bacup will build a forest adventure trail with areas dedicated to outdoor activities, such as a fire pit, camp and den-making area, with the £9,697 it has been awarded.

The Blackburn Rovers Community Trust will receive £8,550 for its The Sugar Smart Squad project to tackle childhood obesity.

St Thomas CE Primary School in Barrowford will get £9,975 to run anti-bullying workshops and teach taekwondo to its pupils.

The Blackburn SLYNCS will use £10,000 to run a series of youth-led events aimed at understanding diversity and community engagement.

St Ambrose Church in Grindleton got £9,000 to refurbish its community room while Roughlee Primary will create an outdoor playground area for early years children with its £9,975.

St Cecilia’s High School in Longridge got £8,800 for a new stage and seats and St James the Less RC Primary in Rawtenstall will use £9,992 on an outdoor play area.