THREE Malvern community groups are celebrating after Christmas came early, thanks to the National Lottery.

The Awards For All scheme has given a total of more than £26,000 to Experiment in International Living UK, Malvern Naturalists' Field Club and What Makes You Different Makes You Beautiful.

Experiment in International Living UK, based in Graham Road, has received £10,000 to support its work of bringing hundreds of international visitors to the UK and preparing British volunteers to travel abroad.

EIL chief executive, Katherine Davis, welcomed the award, saying: “We are delighted with the award from the Big Lottery and the recognition for our volunteer host families who provide visitors with intercultural learning experiences, enriching lives, promoting understanding and tolerance of other cultures and fostering personal growth. The benefits work both ways as visitors enjoy sharing their family stories and traditions.

"With hosted visits ranging from a weekend to three months or the school year, it is important that host are well trained and supported.

"This funding will help us to better support EIL hosts and, as a result, extend our work with people from different groups, cultures and backgrounds from across the UK.”

Malvern Naturalists' Field Club will get £8,000, which will be used to fund its programme for 2018, which includes social activities and excursions to support people who are living in isolation.

Judith Crosby of the club said: "This will make a huge difference to the cost of our outings for 2018, enabling all our members the opportunity to visit beautiful places in the company of friends with similar interests.

"We will be able to travel further afield thanks to the lottery and plan a three-day trip to North Wales as well as our monthly outings."

What Makes You Different Makes You Beautiful has been awarded £8,655 for its Help Hub project. The money will be used to buy an office studio to be used as the hub, supporting families of children living with disabilities or additional needs.

The group was founded in 2013 by Malvern mum Kimberley Philpotts, whose son has special health needs, for families in a similar situation.