The community and voluntary sector in Ashfield has received a £300,000 windfall from the National Lottery.

Ashfield Voluntary Action, based in Ashfield Health and Wellbeing Centre, Kirkby, will use the funding to support its work in six wards over the next three years.

The charity, formed in 2001, helps communities, groups, and charities deliver services and also runs its own groups.

It recruits and trains volunteers for organisations, helps groups with funding applications and training, and also works directly to set up new groups, charities, and community interest companies.

The funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players, will see six new resident action groups created that can decide what to do in their local area.

The resident action groups will be unique to each area with the priorities set by the groups themselves. Training and support will be given.

John Aylward, chair of Ashfield Voluntary Action, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to press on with our plans to broaden the range of opportunities available to local communities.

“This is important because it helps communities become more resilient, more connected, and more empowered.”

Jenni Bishop, community champion at Coxmoor Residents Action Groups, added: “With this award, Ashfield Voluntary Action will be able to support us to develop the projects planned for Coxmoor.

“It will also enable us to work with other Ashfield residents to spread community action in all its forms.”

The National Lottery Community Fund recently launched the It Starts With Community strategy, which will underpin its efforts to distribute at least £4bn of National Lottery funding by 2030.

It aims to support communities to come together, be environmentally sustainable, help children and young people thrive, and enable people to live healthier lives.

Pictured top are Una Key (centre), chief executive of Ashfield Voluntary Action, with some of the trustees, from left chair John Aylward, Teresa Jackson, Phil Marshall and Ann Hilton.