HUTS (Help Us To Survive) has been awarded £3,000 in the Lloyds Bank Community Fund 2014 in West Wales.

Following votes from members of the public HUTS has been awarded a grant from Lloyds Bank to enable it to continue doing good work in the community.

HUTS is a registered charity situated in Newcastle Emlyn and offers a variety of learning opportunities to support adults with mental health challenges and learning disabilities. Through support and social interaction, members are given space in a nurturing environment to gain confidence and develop skills to assist them in the wider community. Currently serving Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and North Pembrokeshire, HUTS offers opportunities for people to explore their creativity through artistic expression – such as rug making, pottery, jewellery design, candle making, woodwork, IT, cooking, arts and crafts and anything in between!

HUTS will now be able to purchase screen printing and litho block equipment. Participants will have tuition in IT, design and printing techniques. Increased confidence and communication skills will encourage members to take ownership of the project.

“The Lloyds Bank Community Fund will make a huge difference to HUTS by enabling us to offer a wider variety of crafts, raise the profile of mental health and help to reduce the stigma associated with it” said Manager, Sally Chorley.

The Lloyds Bank Community Fund was set up to help local people across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man to have a positive impact at the heart of their community by giving grants to 1,400 local good causes in 350 communities.

Nearly 1.5 million votes were cast for good causes across the country during the voting that took place between 2 September and 10 October. Over 700,000 people will benefit either directly or indirectly from the good work the 1,400 good causes across the country will be able to deliver as a result of receiving a Community Fund 2014 award.