HEREFORDSHIRE people from all walks of life are set to benefit after four prominent charities scooped almost £750,000 from Lottery funds.

The pay-out from the Lottery's Community Fund is set to make a real difference to its recipients - Herefordshire Citizens Advice Bureaux, the Taste for Adventure Centre in Credenhill, Herefordshire Mind and Age Concern Hereford City and Rural.

Herefordshire Mind secured £277,000, enabling it to continue providing counselling and psychotherapy services in the county.

The service, which has been established for three years, provides help for individuals experiencing mental distress.

Targeting disadvantaged people, the charity also offers longer-term therapy beyond that provided by GP surgeries.

Herefordshire Mind's residential and counselling services manager, Allan Riley, said: "This means that we are able to build on the foundations we have laid to date and take this service forward.

"This service offers individuals a chance to find new ways of dealing with self-defeating thoughts and behaviour which contribute to their distress."

The organisation has previously had to rely on volunteer counsellors but, with the funds, Herefordshire Mind can support 20 counsellors who can provide up to 80 hours of counselling.

The Taste for Adventure Centre received £228,847, ensuring continued outdoor adventure activities for disabled young and older people.

The money will fund three more members of staff, meet organisational overheads, training costs and general running expenses to help disadvantaged people develop self-confidence, personal and social skills.

Founder, co-ordinator and manager Brummie Stokes said the cash would enable the organisation to continue its work for the next few years and allow it to eventually become self-funding.

The centre, which was officially founded in 1991, has helped hundred's of disadvantaged people to build self-esteem, as well as giving them the chance to try out different outdoor activities which would normally never be available to them.

The idea of starting the centre came from Mr Stokes own personal experiences.

"I came from the back streets of Birmingham from a similar sort of background to many of the young people who come to Taste for Adventure," he said.

"I have lost my toes, had my knee shot off and broken my neck so I have been in a wheelchair several times and I consider myself fortunate.

"It was time I started putting something back."

Advice and information, raising awareness of rights, reducing debts and increasing benefits take-up is the aim for Herefordshire Citizens Advice Bureaux with its windfall of £167,475.

The grant, over two years, will fund staff posts, recruitment, line management and general running costs.

Older people in the county and their carers are also set to benefit after Age Concern Hereford City and Rural received £33,370 from lottery funds.

The organisation hopes to provide a basic handyman and gardening service including minor repairs and DIY tasks such as fixing broken doors, windows, fences and shelves for pensioners.

The service will also incorporate basic gardening jobs including mowing lawns, weeding and clearing leaves.

The cash, over one year, will pay for staff, rent, general running expenses and vehicle costs.

Age Concern Herefordshire and Worcestershire also received £54,674 to undertake a recruitment campaign for new volunteers.