A group that connects people in communities took home the prize for the Heart of the Community Award.

Reach Family Project started as a constituted community group in 2014, the Dovedale Dale organisation in Breightmet.

It believes that everyone deserves a chance to succeed.

Jean Barrass from the company said: "It's very overwhelming and is such an honour to win.

“We started off as an idea 13 years ago and it's amazing that it has come down to this."

Reach Family Project was joined in the nominations alongside Bolton Manbassadors, Lancashire Business Growth Ltd, Revamp Campervans Billy Sewart, and Julie Robinson from Eagley School House Nurseries.

The charity started as a constituted community group in 2014, and registered as a charity in February 2021.

Reach Family Project say their “long-term plan is to cover the entire North West” and “within the next three to five years, cover the Bury area”.

It provides services to children and families to achieve positive outcomes and to reduce social isolation felt by those who are elderly or disabled.

The charity was built from a passion to make a real change in communities, to encourage neighbours to care for their neighbours and to remind those who feel isolated that they are a valued part of the community.

The company stated: “In 2023, we reached a milestone of 100 volunteers on the befriending project.

“Each volunteer represents at least one elderly person in our town who is no longer isolated and forgotten.

“We rely on community buy-in to ensure the success of the charity. If not for the local community volunteering with us, we would not have been able to provide 4486 visits to the elderly and isolated people, 125 parenting support sessions and visits.”

The award was sponsored by Bolton Council