Last updated at 17:31, Monday, 11 February 2008

Alterations to Suit You has created three jobs and there are hopes to take on more staff within months.

The service, at Distington Community Centre, does alterations and repairs to clothes and furnishings, but also serves the communitywider communities of Allerdale and Copeland. Alterations to Suit You is increasing economic activity by investing back into the community through supported wages, training, childcare support and training placements.

Michelle McGibbon, Activities Co-ordinator for Cumbria CVS, said: "The project has provided more opportunities for the Distington area.

“It’s created jobs that were not previously available in an area of high unemployment and will hopefully continue to create more in the future.

“When we were allocated the funding, a condition was to create a number of jobs for the people of Distington which proved difficult so we had the idea to set up an alterations service alongside Domestic Blitz.

"Over the last couple of months it has become increasingly popular and our client base is widening."

Ms McGibbon said that supporting local enterprises meant a broadening of services and facilities for the community.

“We are pleased to welcome Valerie Nelson who is the Sewing Machinist for the project. Valerie has many years experience had her own business Daisy Chain a few years ago,” she said.

West Cumbria Council for Voluntary Services supports voluntary and community groups throughout Allerdale and Copeland. It provides information, advice and training to support economic and community regeneration.

First published at 16:24, Thursday, 07 February 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk