A GRANT of almost half a million pounds will help to improve mental health services in a North Durham town.
The Big Lottery Fund has awarded a Reaching Communities grant of £480,037 to the Chester-le-Street branch of the Mind charity.
The money will be used to create a mentoring programme called Access for All, which will employ two mental health support workers. They will offer counselling, advocacy and bereavement support.
Helen McCaughey, manager at Chester-le-Street Mind, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have secured Lottery funding.
"It will ensure the staff and volunteers at Chester-le-Street Mind can continue to deliver quality mental health services at a local level and develop innovative support to meet individuals’ needs.
"In this, our 30th year of providing vital support to our community, we will be able to expand this support to the increasing number of people whose mental health is being negatively impacted by the current climate of economic uncertainty."
The North Tyneside District Disability Forum will receive a grant of £186,000 and Calvert Trust Kielder will receive £55,000.
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