A CHARITY in Bolton has been awarded more than £200,000 by The National Lottery to continue its work with community elders.

The Asian Elders Resource Centre - based on Northfield Street, Deane - has been awarded £204,875 over the next five years for its ‘Reaching Out to Communities’ programme.

Manager Shabeen Rehman, who has worked at the centre since 1997, said: “This funding has come at a very crucial time for us.

“Small charities and voluntary groups are facing so much uncertainty during the pandemic.

"And this money will enable us to carry on supporting our most vulnerable members during and beyond lockdown. It is very rewarding to witness that such support does make a real difference to the lives of elders in the community.”

Before coronavirus struck, the charity offered English classes, yoga sessions, and arts and craft sessions to its 300 members.

However, lockdown meant that all the sessions stopped and the majority of its members had to shield - many of whom speak little or no English.

With a team of nine bilingual staff and volunteers, the charity has produced guidance on social distancing, personal hygiene and vaccinations throughout the pandemic in Urdu and Gujarati so its members can be safe during lockdown.

Staff at the centre have also been making welfare checks and befriending calls to its most vulnerable members.

Once coronavirus restrictions are lifted, most of the lottery funding will go towards resuming the group’s activities while the rest will go towards the maintenance and renting costs of the centre.

The group, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019, has received two lots of funding from the National Lottery previously, as well as grants from Bolton Council.

This has allowed the charity to support vulnerable and isolated members through providing 2,282 meals, 80 tablets and 54 mobile phones.

Meals have been provided by the charity to its members since June and this scheme will run until at least March 2021.

Shabeen added: “I love my work. I want to help people and I am so proud of all my staff who have adapted to delivering our services during lockdown.”

Last June the charity also received a £45,000 grant from the National Lottery's Community Fund.