A CHARITY which supports disabled people is celebrating after being awarded £25,000 from a community fund.

Embrace Wigan and Leigh, an organisation that works with disabled people to make them feel valued and improve their life skills, has been boosted by year's Aviva Community Fund.

The money provided will be used to launch a dating agency after the charity's beneficiaries made it clear more support and guidance will help its members in this area.

TV presenter, actor and radio DJ Reggie Yates, an Aviva Community Fund ambassador, visited the charity recently to experience how it is building a stronger community.

He said: “As a product of a community drama club, I know the positive impact they can have.

"I wouldn’t be in the position I am today if it wasn’t for my experience at the Anna Scher Theatre.

"I loved visiting Embrace and experiencing first-hand the inspirational, life-changing work they are doing for their community.”

A short documentary was made after Reggie's visit.

It included Reggie where the group shared their dos and don'ts for dating.

The video which shows Reggie Yates visiting Embrace Wigan and Leigh

Reggie spoke with the organisers at Embrace and the young people benefitting from the project.

Fieldwork manager at Embrace Wigan and Leigh, Chris Hamnett, said: “Our organisations began because disabled people and their families no longer wanted professionals making decisions about the support they needed.

"They wanted to make that decision for themselves.

“The Aviva Community Fund win means that we can yet again maintain this user-led ethos that we have had for 19 years, as the dating service comes from a direct request from our beneficiaries.

“The nerves around dating are not exclusive to any community, so having Reggie visit and share his equal share of dating faux pas was great for the others that attended the session.”

Embrace Wigan and Leigh is one of 550 projects that has been supported by the Aviva Community Fund this year.

UK retail and brand director at Aviva, Tom Daniell, said: “This film shows only a tiny glimpse of what groups like this achieve and are a great way of showing us the challenges that they face day to day.

"Each year, we are lucky enough to see entries that show us the great work community groups across the country are doing.

"We hope that featuring in this film with Reggie can act as another way we add value to the group, beyond just money, by shining a light on them and showcasing the work to a wider audience.

“While we know the individual needs and services of groups vary, Aviva believe wholeheartedly, when communities are supported, informed and connected, they are empowered to face challenges and influence the things that matter most to them.

"This year, Aviva is going beyond just providing funding; we are offering our skills, knowledge and connections to help build stronger communities together, and are proud to support the groups who work so hard to make a difference in their local area.”