A TRIO of groups in Wyre Forest have benefitted from National Lottery cash to boost the services they provide.

Worcestershire Training Provider Association, The Community Broadcast Channels and Our Way Self Advocacy received their share of more than £20,000 worth of funding.

This is part of the National Lottery’s £2.9million awards for the West Midlands region that will support more than 90 different community projects.

Worcestershire Training Provider Association has been handed £10,000 for an initiative to improve employability and to access apprenticeships in Wyre Forest.

This will include skills sessions for young people not in education, employment or training and is aimed at increasing confidence and removing barriers that hamper their chances of getting jobs.

The Community Broadcast Channels, which provides Kidderminster’s online TV station, will use their £8,296 award for their Relative View – Changing Perceptions project.

This will see them deliver film workshops focusing on solutions for issues such as bullying and unemployment. It is also hoped this will develop project management, film production, team working and presentation skills.

Our Way Self Advocacy has received £7,170 to provide its three day Liberal Stars course, focusing on sex and relationship training for people with disabilities and/or autism who identify themselves as LGBT.

The aim of the course is to reduce isolation, depression and anxiety while developing life skills and promoting personal independence.

Lyn Cole, Big Lottery Fund, England Grant-making Director said: “It’s great to see these community groups coming together to make a difference to the lives of local people.”