Bright Hope, a charity based in Swannington, near Ashby, has received funding from Hinckley & Rugby Building Society to support its Befriending service.

The charity serves the people of North West Leicestershire, providing a range of support services that includes day care and counselling, and operates three Support Cafés, in Ashby, Ibstock and Coalville.

Its Befriending service reaches out to and supports vulnerable and isolated individuals who have life-limiting conditions.

Hinckley & Rugby provided funding through its Community Sponsorship Scheme, which was launched this year, to provide financial support to local charities and community groups in its heartlands of Leicestershire and Warwickshire.

Representing the mutual, Guy Bennett and Carla Loughrey visited Bright Hope with a cheque for £700, and met Trustee Jan Shepherd.

Jan said: "It was good to meet with Carla and Guy, and to thank them for the support Hinckley & Rugby are giving us with the Befriending service, as well as Society support in the past.

"This service is being improved and relaunched to have a greater reach, and to help more vulnerable people get back to a lifestyle where they are able to meet people face to face again without fear.

"We look forward to working with the team at Hinckley & Rugby again in future." 

After visiting the centre, Carla said: "A huge thank you to Jan, who gave us a tour of Bright Hope's fantastic facilities.

"It was great to learn about the wide range of services they provide to help improve the physical and mental health of people living with life-limiting conditions, as well as support for their families and carers.

"The stories Jan told us were truly inspirational." 

Guy added: "We are thrilled that the Society has been able to help fund the Befriending service, which offers companionship and assistance to individuals who find themselves isolated. 

"Their regular, planned phone calls provide a real lifeline, and often act as an introduction to the other services Bright Hope can provide." 

To find out more about Bright Hope, click HERE.

For information about Hinckley & Rugby's Community Sponsorship Scheme, including how to apply for grants, click HERE.