A CHESHIRE charity has been awarded more than £200,000 to help the most vulnerable people in deprived areas of Cheshire East.

Cheshire Community Action, based in Northwich, have been awarded £218,000 to provide help to 900 isolated older and vulnerable people living in rural areas of Crewe, Nantwich and Macclesfield.

The charity’s Community Agents project will support older and vulnerable adults by providing information and promoting access to services within their community.

Mark Reading, Chief Operating Officer, says their community agents will target specific communities that are rurally deprived due to experiencing a severe lack of access to key support services.

Mr Reading said: “Community Agents will bridge the gap to offer help or support where required.

“Working in ‘clusters’ of rural communities, Community Agents will act as navigators in the provision of high quality information, promote access to a wide range of services and identify unmet needs within the community they operate in.

“Agents will also provide hands on practical and emotional support during home visits, as and where required.

“Through training and access to appropriate information resources, the Community Agents will develop their capacity to provide a service within their communities, both in the short and longer term.

“Offering confidential support, in the home mostly, Community Agents will ensure a more independent and better quality life for older and vulnerable people in these rural areas.”

The charity is one of eleven initiatives in the north west who have received a share of almost £3 million from the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities programme.

He added: “Through training and research, they will continually learn more about what’s available for people, so they can improve their service in the communities both in the short and longer-term – working with volunteers will create local sustainability and ideally will leave a legacy of activity.”

The Community Agents was piloted with funding from Cheshire East Council is now safeguarded to continue until 2017.

To find out more about the project contact Mark Reading on 01606 350042 or by email at mark.reading@cheshireaction.org.uk