A community group has been awarded more than £200,000 in a bid to keep their activities running.

The Northern Fells Group (NFG), which Prince Charles is patron, has been successful in their bid to the National Lottery Community Fund.

The funding, totalling £222,000, will enable the Northern Fells Group – Village Action Project to continue its activities.

This is an initiative to provide four village agents, based across the NGF’s catchment area and the popular Men in Sheds workshop and activities.

The agents work across the area, providing support to residents – linking them into other public services, facilitating a wide range of social activities and engaging them in oil syndicates, energy switch advice and other NFG services.

The Men in Sheds Project runs a twice-weekly woodwork session targeted on older men who may be retired, of ill health or socially isolated, bringing them together to share their practical skills and knowledge while engaging in a range of activities including woodturning, metalwork and furniture and bicycle repairs.

Please with the outcome Geoff Hine, the chair of the Northern Fells Group, said: “This is wonderful news for the NFG. Our village agents and the Men in Sheds project provide a lifeline to older more vulnerable people in the area, providing activities and a safe space for many, particularly those who would otherwise be socially isolated.

“They are all working flat out at the moment developing a number of community responses to the coronavirus crisis, including a local “Phone a Friend” scheme, coordinating volunteers who can help out older residents and those who are in “self-isolation” and by providing regular information bulletins to our database of users and our web site.

“We are delighted that we have secured funding for the future at a time of worry and concern, we are so grateful to the National Lottery”

This work is provided by volunteers and is supported by 13 part-time staff members.