A COMMUNITY centre which faced the threat of closure 18 months ago has secured a grant of worth more than £280,000 to enable it to expand its communal activities.

Newton Community Centre had raised £20,000 in 2015 during a a three-month fundraising effort by staff and volunteers, to save the centre's future.

The new funding, awarded by the Big Lottery Reaching Communities grant will enable the self-funding centre on Park Road South, to widen its service to additional areas to benefit the area further.

The centre will provide a befriending service to reach out to isolated and lonely people and work in partnership with Gingerbread to support single parents.

And the grant will also see support given to individuals who are victims of domestic abuse and help for young people with mild to moderate mental health issues.

Centre chairman Fiona Ruddy said: “We are very excited about the award to an area which still has high levels of deprivation.

“From start to finish this has been a very difficult process, which has taken more than eight months to secure However, the end result is very positive for the whole community of Newton le Willows.”

The funding is specifically allocated to cover staff costs, running costs and the buy-in of services, as well as general maintenance of the old school building.

Fiona added that other activities at the centre still need the input of volunteers and donors to keep that side of the communal hub on track.

She said: “In September 2015, the centre was on the point of closure and it was only because the community pulled together to prevent it from happening.

"We have since been supported by many organizations and donors and that is why we can run so many different activities for all ages in the community and the latest funding is the next piece in the hub’s jigsaw.”

Activities on offer include: sewing, first aid, holiday Spanish, drama and singing yoga social events, creative writing, Citizen Advice, Job Club and a men’s group offering topics including photography learning, friendship and support advice.

Fiona added: “While this is a magnificent funding boost, this still doesn't secure the long term future of our centre, so we will still need to be fundraising and looking for other revenue sources to support us.

“We are keen to continue to grow and would welcome anyone who would like to access our services or volunteer in any capacity.

"We very much have an open door policy and we want to ensure that everyone in the community feels welcome.”