A GALASHIELS organisation has landed a funding windfall to help locals with learning disabilities back to work.

Brothers of Charity has been granted over £400,000 of additional support from the Big Lottery.

And the cash will be used towards helping individuals progress through training and work programmes at its two social enterprises.

As well as a bakery, the Working Together enterprises offer training in gardening and joinery.

Brothers of Charity chief executive Charmian Ledsham told the Border Telegraph: “We are delighted that the Big Lottery Fund has agreed to support our Working Together social enterprises. “The funding will make a substantial contribution to helping people with learning disabilities in the Borders access the training and experience they need to achieve their aspirations for employment.

“We will be working closely with Borders College, Employment Support Providers and Job Seeking Services locally to enable individuals to progress through their two year programme and successfully move on.” The £412,120 award will be used to provide a two year programme consisting of four stages.

A six week taster session in one of the businesses will be followed by a six month training period.

This will then be followed by practical work experience in one of the two businesses before people are put in touch with outside groups and agencies where they will put their new skills into practice.

The grant is one of eight sharing in £3,813,476 from the Big Lottery Fund.

Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn, said: “The Big Lottery Fund supports projects which aim to improve the prospects of people and communities across Scotland. “Today’s award to The Brothers of Charity Trust (Scotland) will provide people with learning disabilities with on the job experience as part of a two year training programme. “This will give them much needed confidence and skills which will be an asset to potential employers in the Scottish Borders.”