Oswestry Lottery cash to help those out of work
The first major grant from £1 million Lottery funding awarded to three villages five years ago will help people get to work.
A Wheels 2 Work scheme has been set up in St Martins, Gobowen and Weston Rhyn, near Oswestry, loaning out scooters and electric and push bikes to those who need transport to get a job.
The Three Parishes Big Local Partnership, volunteers managing the 10-year programme bringing £1million of Big Lottery funding, says the project is the first to be funded from its Big Grants Scheme.
Wheels 2 Work, an initiative managed by Shropshire Rural Communities Charity, has been awarded £6,800 for an 18-month project aimed at helping people get into or keep work by solving their transport problems.
Bridget Larraway from Three Parishes Big Local, said: "Wheels 2 Work started life in 1997 to help people in Shropshire find affordable and flexible transport to work, particularly young people looking for work for the first time, those returning to work after a long period, or working for a low wage."
The partnership has also awarded nine community chest grants, totalling £3,800 to community groups and projects in the area. They include: The Three Parishes Canal Action group; City Lane and area residents in Hengoed; Fusion Arts, Oswestry; The New Saints Community Foundation; St Martins Guides; Focus Weston Rhyn; St Martins School Sports Centre; Weston Rhyn Under 19s and Offa Events.
