Big Lottery Fund cash for older people in Hertfordshire

A charity for older people in Hertfordshire has received a grant of more than £475,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to remodel some of its services.

Age UK's new services will consist of a telephone line, home visits and "surgeries" in places such as supermarkets and town halls.

The internet will also be taken into people's homes.

It is hoped that the project will help older people to keep healthy and address issues such as isolation.

The Big Lottery Fund has also given £55,736 to the Barton Icknield (Luton) Scout Group to refurbish its new hall in Barton Le Clay, Bedfordshire.

'Vital grant'

It is hoped community groups in the village will also start using the hall at Christmas time.

Carol Barnes from the Barton scout and guide new headquarters committee said: "We have spent the last 25 years fundraising towards this new Scout & Guide Community Centre.

"The Lottery grant is vital to us being able to complete the inside of the building.

"This funding will enable us to organise and run many community events for the benefit of the local residents in our village and surrounding area."

Sara Betsworth, from the Big Lottery Fund in the eastern region said: "Today's grant recipients show that the Reaching Communities programme continues to make a real difference to the lives of many disadvantaged people across the East of England."