A PROJECT to support prisoners at HMP Hewell and their families has been awarded £446,296 in the latest round of Big Lottery funding.

The money will enable Worcestershire YMCA to continue its Hewell Rainbow Project, offering parenting courses, family days, baby bonding sessions and workshops to build a supportive environment ready for when prisoners are released.

For the first time, the project will now offer schools and nurseries the chance to learn skills to identify and support children affected by imprisonment.

Nichola Harris, children and families manager, HMP Hewell said: “The Big Lottery funding will allow the YMCA’s Children and Families Team to provide much needed support to offenders and the often forgotten victims of crime, their children and families. This is an exciting opportunity to improve the quality of life for offenders and their families.”

Beaconside Primary and Nursery School in Rubery has also been awarded a share of the National Lottery's £3million for community projects in the West Midlands.

The £10,000 donation will help the school to improve its play equipment to encourage children to take part in exercise.