A COMMUNITY centre is celebrating after receiving a boost of almost £5,000 from an organisation which helps revitalise former mining areas.

Perth Community Centre in Thatto Heath has secured £4,795 thanks to the Coalfields Community Investment Programme, delivered by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

The funds will be used to pay for a number of training courses, training materials and accreditations. A contribution will also be made towards marketing and promotional activity and room hire.

The Perth Centre has been a central part of Thatto Heath since its launch. The Star reported earlier this year when plaques were unveiled at the centre in honour of the late Cllr Sheila Seddon, who was instrumental in securing funds for the voluntary-run community facility in Dunedin Street and former treasurer and volunteer Janet Coy, who died in 2014.

Perth Community Centre neighbourhood development officer, Mel Mulcahy said: “Without the support of organisations such as the Coalfields Regeneration Trust we simply could not continue to deliver the range of activities that we do now.

"Thanks to the training programmes that we put in place people are able to improve their skills and employability. It really does make all of the difference to those who come along to the centre.”

Coalfields Regeneration Trust head of operations in England Andy Lock added: “Thanks to organisations like Perth Community Centre we are able to have a lasting and positive impact on the lives of those living in coalfield areas.

"It is no secret that many coalfield communities are within the 30 per cent most deprived in the country and that is why this work is so important.”

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust was launched in 1999 and since then more than two million people have benefited from support delivered by the organisation.

For further details about the Coalfields Community Investment programme see coalfields-regen.co.uk.

For more about Perth Community Centre see: communitycentres.org.uk/community-centres/perth-community-centre.