A PROJECT to improve the lives of the young and old has won £25,000 from the Big Lottery Fund People’s Projects.

Trust Links, the local independent charity for better mental health and wellbeing, will used the cash for its Growing Together Shoeburyness project in Elm Road, Shoeburyness after winning the public vote in the Anglia East region for the People’s Projects. In just over two weeks, Trust Links managed to secure enough votes to be one of three projects to receive the full funding asked for.

The £25,000 will be used to improve and further develop the site by putting in permanent paths which will be suitable for wheelchairs and prams, installing reminiscence features such as a bus stop, post box and scented flowers to help those people living with dementia and building an outdoor play area for pre-school children.

The funding will also help the site offer more sessions for local people to make the most of the therapeutic opportunities on offer.

Matt King, chief executive of Trust Links, said: “A huge thank you to everyone who voted for us. It is great to have had the support of so many people. The funding will make a huge difference to the delivery of Growing Together Shoeburyness project and will provide a boost to all of our members, volunteers and supporters.”

The charity is encouraging people to follow the progress of the work at Growing Together Shoeburyness on Facebook and Twitter.

For any further information on the work of Trust Links, please contact the office on 01702 213134, email office@trustlinks.org or go to the website http://www.trustlinks.org/.