TRINITY Winchester, that helps the homeless, has been boosted by a £5,000 grant from the Aviva Community Fund.

Insurance Brokers Arthur J Gallagher submitted an application on Trinity’s behalf to help extend their job club and learning programme where many unemployed people come for support with their job search, applications and interview skills.

Trinity’s project, ‘Learning 4 Life’, was voted for 1,330 times, and got through to the final where a panel of judges selected the project as one of 50 winners out of 250 entries.

The £5,000 will provide long-term support to move young people into, or closer to, employment. In the last year, Trinity’s job club supported 54 people into voluntary or paid work, and needs funding to continue this service.

Stuart Charlton, senior account executive at Arthur J Gallagher, supported the application and said: “It's been a real pleasure to see Trinity receive this funding. We have been working with the charity for many years, and know the valuable work that they provide to vulnerable people in Winchester. At the Southampton branch, we are looking forward to supporting Trinity more through volunteering days and fundraising activity.”

Representatives from the charity attended an Aviva Celebration day, hosted by England rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood, to receive the award and meet other charities.

Niamh Penman, learning and development co-ordinator at Trinity Winchester, said: “The job club is one of the core elements of Trinity’s service, and we are seeing more and more people needing to access the support. This funding will help us to reach more young people and provide the support they need to get back into work. Thanks to Aviva and Arthur J Gallagher for helping to make this happen.”

Trinity is fund-raising to secure £1.5m to build an extension at its Durngate building to house 11 people.