Crowsmill craft centre looks to grow after getting grant

Dickon Pitt said the money had made a "massive difference"

A centre which helps children and adults with behavioural and learning difficulties is looking to expand after getting £18,000 from Severn Trent.

The Crowsmill Craft Centre in Quatt, Shropshire, was set up 10 years ago and works with more than a dozen schools.

Co-founder Dickon Pitt said he now hoped to offer support to veterans too.

The centre offers classes in woodworking, blacksmithing, bricklaying, plastering, welding and jewellery-making.

The water company passed on the money under a scheme to help charities through "another difficult winter".

Mr Pitt said it had enabled him to take on somebody to work in the office and free up his time to "progress the business".

The centre runs a range of practical courses

Mr Pitt said it currently helped up to 25 people a day and some of those it has helped have returned to work there as volunteers.

"We make volunteering spaces happen so that they can show the empathy to others that they have received themselves while they have been here."

He said the centre had also received positive feedback from schools and was looking to set up a new brickwork plastering and mechanics area after getting feedback from service users.