A FRIENDSHIP club for adults with learning disabilities has scooped more than a quarter of a million pounds from the Lottery.

Dorset People First, which organises a range of social activities to integrate its members into the community, has today been awarded a Big Lottery Fund (BLF) grant of £287,126.

The group, which meets across the county including in Weymouth and Dorch-ester, will use the cash to fund its friendship club for the next three years.

Dorset People First helps to tackle isolation by assisting adults with learning disabilities to take part in local activities which they might find difficult to access on their own. Activities include visits to pubs, cafes, nightclubs, theatres, cinema, sporting events and music festivals.

Laura Kerr, Dorset People First co-ordinator, said: “We are grateful to the Big Lottery Fund for enabling us to develop this exciting, innovative and much needed club for adults with learning disabilities.

“It will help transform lives as hundreds of socially and rurally isolated members will be able to make friends in their local community and develop social skills leading to hugely improved confidence and a better quality of life.

“Communities will also benefit as volunteers support people with learning disabilities to become far more active citizens in their local area, in turn leading to a more integrated society.”

She added: “All of the members were thrilled to find out about the grant.

“When they thought we weren’t going to get any more funding they were very upset and so they were delighted to find out we can continue with the group.

“Now we’re really optimistic for the future and that the club is sustainable.”

This is one of three South West projects to benefit from a lottery grant and in total the BLF has awarded over £600,000 to support good causes in the region.

The funding comes from BLG’s Reaching Communities programme which awards grants to improve the lives of those most in need and build stronger communities.

Other projects that have received funding are a programme designed to help tackle drug and alcohol abuse among homeless people in Cheltenham and a project which aims to support disadvantaged people to set up businesses in South Devon.

Mark Cotton, who is the head of region for the South West for BLF, said: “Whether tackling isolation, providing support to substance abusers, or teaching skills to help start up businesses, each of these projects will significantly improve the lives of some of the region’s most in need.”

Dorset People First meets in Weymouth, Bridport, Dorchester, Sherborne, Stalbridge, Gillingham, Blandford, Wimborne and Ferndown.

For more information call Laura Kerr on 07970 240555 or send an email to laura@ dorsetpeoplefirst.co.uk