Lottery funds projects to help older people in Cornwall

Bereavement support and fire safety training are to be made available to older people in Cornwall.

More than £300,000 is to be spent on two schemes as part of the Big Lottery Fund's "Silver Dreams" programme for people aged over 50.

One of the schemes involve forces' veterans providing training in fire safety, crime prevention and first aid.

The other will provide support networks for bereaved people run by staff of a similar age.

Active Plus has been awarded £185,000 to develop its scheme, which sees combat veterans who are amputees or suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD), training vulnerable people.

'I am honoured'

Active Plus follows on from Surf Action, which uses the sport to help wounded personnel regain their confidence and boost their self-esteem.

Pip Harris, who lives in Liskeard and served in the Royal Navy, suffers from PTSD.

He said: "I have been involved with Surf Action and this activity has allowed me to begin training and help others, and I am now honoured to be asked to join the team of Active Plus."

Volunteer Cornwall is to receive £123,629 from the Silver Dreams project.

The new scheme will connect people with services and support across Cornwall and will work closely with Age UK Cornwall.

The Silver Dreams Fund is the first of the Big Lottery Fund's dedicated investments in older people in England.