A LOCAL charity has received a grant of more than £17,900 to boost its work in helping disadvantaged people access volunteering placements.

Watford Council for Voluntary Service (WCVS) has been awarded a grant of £9,941 from the Key Fund and £8,000 from the Watford and Three Rivers Primary Care Trust for the 18-month pilot project.

The Key Fund is an initiative of the European Social Fund, which aims to help those who for any reason are disadvantaged in the labour market. It is managed locally by the Hertfordshire Community Foundation.

Avani Modasia, the charity's chief executive, said: "We are delighted to receive these grants, which will make a big difference. In particular it will help us to offer supported volunteering opportunities for disadvantaged local people, which in turn will assist them to enter the labour market and lead more fulfilled lives."

The Supported Volunteering Project has come about through requests for supported volunteering placements from organisations which assist disadvantaged groups.

Supported volunteering opportunities will help disadvantaged groups access employment through building self-esteem and confidence; learning new skills and making a contribution to their community.

The groups that this project will assist are people with mental health problems, people with learning difficulties/disabilities, people with physical and/or sensory disabilities and people who are homeless or in housing need.

The Hertfordshire Community Foundation is inviting local groups to apply for Key Fund grants. For further information telephone the Foundation on 01707 251351.