A community support project which helps people in Alsager and the surrounding areas has received a £1,000 donation to continue the essential work it's carrying out amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Alsager Community Support has been given the funding by local developer Barratt Homes to help them continue their vital work throughout the neighbourhood.

Not only do the volunteers provide a free, local and confidential service for people in any kind of need, during the pandemic they've also helped people with their shopping, delivered prescriptions and run a befriending service.

The centre, which opened in 2015, is an outreach project of the Alsager Community Church and is based next to the church in Alsager town centre.

The funding comes as part of Barratt Homes' Community Fund scheme, which sees it support local charities and organisations in and around the communities it builds properties.

Founder of Alsager Community Support, Liz Pinkney, said: "When we found out we were receiving this donation we were so surprised and delighted! Our organisation depends on grants and donations to survive and this donation is much appreciated.

"We hope to employ someone soon as volunteer co-ordinator on a fixed-term contract. This time last year we had 12 volunteers and we now have nearly 200 thanks to the amazing and generous response from people in our community.

"This fantastic donation will relieve pressure on our existing funds and enable us to appoint a volunteer co-ordinator for a longer period than initially planned.

"It's good that companies working in our community plough back profits into organisations like our own who seek to improve the lives of residents."

The charity offers support in a number of ways, including providing a listening ear and practical advice, making referrals to the local authority and other professional organisations where needed, and giving people access to local services like organisations which care for the vulnerable.

The team also run a pre-owned school uniform service and have a children's winter coats scheme, as well as running regular Christmas toy appeals.

Adrian Evans, managing director at Barratt Homes West Midlands, commented: "When we heard about the incredible work Alsager Community Support does locally we were blown away by their commitment to helping people and knew we wanted to provide support.

"Our Community Fund scheme allows us to help charities such as this in the areas in and around our developments and it is vital that we work closely with local people to see how we can best help them.

"We're looking forward to hearing more about Alsager Community Support's future work and are already so impressed with their growth of volunteers."

To find out more about the work Alsager Community Support does, visit their website or call the hotline on 01270 876605.

Barratt Homes is currently building properties nearby at Emberton Grange in Alsager.