LOTTERY cash has helped Haslingden Community Forum provide a variety of courses to help voluntary and community groups with training needs.

Already the £153,000 grant has paid to run courses on web site development, advocacy and basic IT skills for organisations throughout Rossendale.

The forum is now asking the groups to suggest what further training they require.

Chairman of Haslingden Community Forum Michael Murray said: "We're about to send out a questionnaire to our members and other organisations and we encourage them to tell us about their training needs and return it as soon as possible.

"And we'd ask those voluntary and community groups that don't receive a questionnaire to call us and ask for a copy to be sent to them."

Once all the replies have been received the forum will assess the biggest area of need and try to provide courses at different venues across the Valley.

Mr Murray said: "It is really important that groups tell us about their training needs -- their valuable input is essential so that we can deliver the courses that the voluntary sector needs.

"And, ultimately that the valuable money from the Community Fund is used in the right way to give maximum benefit to Rossendale groups."

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