A Cirencester charity has received funding to continue its much-needed work in the community.

The Churn Project will receive £360,000 over three years from the ‘National Lottery Community Fund – Reaching Communities South West’ programme will help Cirencester charity.

The money will go towards the charity's Engagement, Employment and Wellbeing Team (EEW), which supports people who are unemployed, experiencing loneliness, isolation or mental health issues, and those seeking to make friends and engage with their community.

Some of the Churn Project’s existing initiatives that will benefit from the funding include groups such as Men’s Shed, Time for You, Stitch Knit and Natter, and the Churn Allotment.

The funding will also underpin the charity’s 1-2-1 engagement support work and allow it to grow the EEW team and introduce a manager.

Over the past 21 years, The Churn Project has supported vulnerable and marginalised people of all ages and backgrounds in and around Cirencester, working alongside them to build their confidence, reduce their isolation and improve their mental wellbeing.

The Churn Project’s Chief Executive Officer, Juliet Cocks, said: “We were all absolutely thrilled to receive the news of this funding and are extremely grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for recognising the amazing work carried out by our small team of staff and our wonderful cohort of volunteers.

"I am so glad that all their hard work over the years, and particularly during the COVID pandemic, has been recognised as being crucial to the cohesion and wellbeing of our community."

“Although £360,000 is an incredible amount of money the support of our corporate sponsors and other donors, and the efforts of our volunteer fundraisers, the Churn Champions, will be as important as ever if we are to be able to expand our services and reach even more people who need our support in the months and years to come.”

For more information visit churnproject.org.uk