A COMMUNITY scheme is to expand its youth centre services as well as offering adult education courses, following a cash boost.

Darwen’s Reachout programme has traditionally provided sport and youth centre services for teenagers as well as offering training and CV advice.

Now the service is also hoping to roll out basic adult education courses in literacy and numeracy for adults up to the age of 25 who wish to improve their qualifications.

The Level 2 courses, which sit just below GCSE levels, are to be introduced after the centre received at least £2,320 from Sainsbury’s in Darwen after they completed a year of fundraising.

Reachout will also provide extra programmes for youngsters who are vulnerable or at risk with activities which develop a passion for arts, sport and participation in the community.

The centre recently took a group of teenagers to help in a Bulgarian orphanage and is also planning community First World War commemorations.

Young people who visit the centre can also access training which leads to apprenticeships.

Reachout project manager Lesley Hall said: “We were really pleased to find that we had been selected for the chosen charity at the store.

“The Sainsbury’s staff have helped us to promote our project and raise funds to continue our work with young people in Darwen.

“We would like to say thank you to the team and customers who have always given us a warm welcome.”

Sainsbury’s organised an indoor bike ride and a special Fair Trade event. Fundraisers also bought a new football kit for the Reachout’s team to use, and donated summer activity packs and water bottles to give to young peo- ple.

Darwen Sainsbury’s store manager, Jaine Bergin, said: “We selected Reachout as our charity of the year because of the fantastic work they do with the young people in the town.

“We have had a fantastic year and done some great things and we are delighted to have raised as much money as we have.

“The children have played their part in making this year a success and we will be looking to continue our partnership in the future.”