VOLUNTEERS and staff at a Blackheath-based charity are celebrating a Big Lottery Fund grant of more than £300,000 to help it expand.

The Reaching Communities funding will enable Loaves ‘n’ Fishes to help more vulnerable people who are most in need through the provision of household necessities.

People will also have access to skills and employability training, delivered through a volunteer programme.

It’s the second time the Christian charity has received funding and it will help to pay for staff wages and other costs needed over the next three years.

Founder and overall project manager Anna Hartland said it will also be used to build on the charity’s workshop enterprise enabling it to become much more self-sufficient.

The charity plans to appoint a trainer to help volunteers renew furniture unsuitable to be given to people in need, painting it and turning it into “shabby chic” to sell in its 12 Baskets shop.

It is hoped to develop an online trading business and to develop the charity's marketing and human resources capabilities.

It also wants to train staff to be able to offer advice on a range of issues affecting people in need, including housing, benefits, welfare and job searching.

Mrs Hartland said: “We are more than blessed to receive this funding. As poverty levels rise, the greater the need for this charity. In the last year alone, we have supported 1,973 people.”

She added: “We couldn’t have grown to the level we have and supported so many people without the support of the Big Lottery Fund.”

The first batch of funding, amounting to £218,000, enabled Loaves ‘n’ Fishes to employ staff and move to a bigger premises in Vicarage Road.