STONEHOUSE Neighbourhood Project - now in its seventh year - just keeps going from strength to strength as it continues to work in the community.

The project, now situated entirely in new premises in Queen's Road, offers residents living in the GL10 postcode an advice centre, a volunteer scheme, a health team and various study courses.

Over 100 students are studying there, and more than 700 residents benefit from the facilities.

One of the core functions the centre provides is the time bank - a volunteer exchange programme where people are paid credits for helping other people, which they can then redeem to get help for themselves.

Project manager Beccy Partridge (corr) said Stonehouse was the first area to introduce such a scheme, which have now been started elsewhere across the country.

She added: "Stonehouse Neighbourhood Project makes a huge difference to peoples' lives because they are using their skills to help other people and can get assistance without feeling like a charity case - it's quite disempowering sometimes being on the receiving end of help.

"Volunteering also helps to increase people's self esteem and self worth because they are helping other people and receiving help to do something they were previously struggling with."

Beccy said the volunteer tasks that are exchanged vary from escorting people to hospital appointments, gardening, sewing, music lessons, help with shopping and DIY.

"I think we became a one-stop shop for the community," she said.

"It's not about doing things for the local residents it's about supporting them to do things for themselves through our provisions.

"It is just brilliant the benefits that the project has for the community - it brings back that whole sense of community that is lacking these days."

The project also organises various outings and events and employs local people who can gain new skills through their employment at the centre.

Beccy added: "The people who use the service we offer are always really keen to get more involved and see how they can benefit."