A FENLAND group which helps people with learning difficulties has been awarded a bumper grant of more than £150,000. Fenland Mencap is to receive £157,594 for its Befriending Scheme from the Big Lottery Fund, as part of its reaching communities programme.

A FENLAND group which helps people with learning difficulties has been awarded a bumper grant of more than £150,000.

Fenland Mencap is to receive £157,594 for its Befriending Scheme from the Big Lottery Fund, as part of its reaching communities programme.

The project helps to prepare people with learning difficulties, who are over 18 and living with their families, to leave home and to be independent.

This is done through trained volunteer befrienders, who use a variety of one-to-one activities to help develop skills such as money management, time management and social skills.

Margaret Oatey, chairman of the Befriending Scheme Management Committee, said: "We are very pleased and excited at receiving this award which, together with the funding our project co-ordinator Graham McDonald has acquired, will enable our Befriending Scheme to continue for a further three-years.

"Our members will also be highly delighted with this news as the Befriending Scheme provides much-needed social and learning opportunities in a very rural area with limited transport and accessible activities.

"These opportunities enable people with learning disabilities to build skills and grow in confidence in all areas of their lives.