A charity in Watford is aiming to provide employment skills training for up to 180 people after receiving a grant from a retailer.

One YMCA, which delivers crucial community services across Herts, Beds and Bucks, has received £26,500 from the John Lewis Community Investment Fund to cover the cost of the programme.

The charity’s housing team hope to enrol up to 180 residents throughout the year and they have the option of studying essential employability skills, undertaking the Essential Employability in Care certificate or the Construction Skills Certification Scheme.

As well as being One YMCA’s headquarters, Charter House in the town centre is a hostel and provides accommodation for up to 180 people a year who would otherwise be homeless.

Ivadeen Charles, Supported Housing Manager for Charter House, said: “We are really grateful to the John Lewis Community Investment Fund who have granted us this funding for employability training. We have enough funding now to cover at least one skills training course for each of our residents here in Watford.

“Equipped with the skills and qualifications acquired on the training programme, our current residents can go forward to apply for, and hopefully gain employment. Our vision at One YMCA is for our residents to belong, contribute and thrive in the local community.”