THE Community Partnership Fund run by Bolton and Bury Chamber is supporting a new cafe co-operative.

A £30,000 grant has helped the development of the Mission Cafe at the Bolton Methodist Mission, Victoria Hall, Knowsley Street.

The popular cafe, which has been run by church volunteers for the last 17 years, is due to open up to five days a week - instead of two - from April 27.

In future the volunteers will work alongside people who have experienced mental health problems.

There is a pool of about 30 adults aged between 18 and 65.

The partners in the ground-breaking scheme are the Methodist Mission, Bolton Association of Networks Drop-ins for Mental Health (BAND), the Community Partnership Fund and Warburtons.

The Rev Phil Mason, Superientendent Minister of the Bolton Methodist Mission, said: "The aim is to help people build-up skills and confidence with a view to progression."

The training - for which participants receive an allowance - is intended as a way of helping to combat disadvantage in the labour market.

Mission Cafe is one of a number of projects supported by the Partnership Fund, an initiative which assists community development by encouraging business and community partnerships.

Manager Trish Bartlett said: "I have an interest in hearing from firms which are community-minded."

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