Last updated at 09:22, Thursday, 24 December 2009

A Wigton charity is celebrating a £25,000 boost to help support people with learning disabilities.

Chrysalis has been awarded the cash boost by Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales.

The funding will support the charity to improve the life choices and chances of people with learning disabilities by giving them new skills and confidence through work experience opportunities.

Simon Cross, enterprise officer for Chrysalis, said: “Our aim is to provide enhanced life chances for our service users through accredited training, work placements and increased confidence through social interaction and integration.

“Service users will have the opportunity to gain paid employment within the enterprises promoting ‘real’ work as an achievable option, which for some would act as a stepping stone to other employment.”

Founded in 1996, Chrysalis has recently opened a new wholefoods shop in Wigton’s King Street offering Fair Trade products.

The charity relocated from their West Street shop this year. The cash will be used to support the salary of the charity’s Enterprise Officer to develop business opportunities similar to the shop.

First published at 07:09, Thursday, 24 December 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk