A CREDITON community interest company that supports people with learning disabilities and autism has secured a grant worth £75,000.

Lloyds Bank Foundation, an independent charitable foundation funded by Lloyds Banking Group, has pledged to give The Turning Tides Project £25,000 a year for the next three years.

The Turning Tides Project offers one-to-one and shared support services, creative sessions, events catering and runs the tea rooms at Crediton railway station.

“Turning Tides’ success in securing the grant recognises the work that we do to make equal access a reality by taking a social model approach,” said Director Jane Williams.

“The funding will enable us to continue to challenge the structural barriers that prevent people with ‘learning disability’ or ‘autism’ labels having equal access to education, work and housing.

“We will continue investing in developing this community’s capacity to ensure equal access to everything it has to offer and to do so because it is socially just.

“We will also develop our approach to campaigning to maximise our social impact.”

A Lloyds Bank Foundation spokesperson added: “Lloyds Bank Foundation work in partnership with small and local charities, people and communities, changing lives and working towards a more just and compassionate society.

“Through unrestricted funding, support to develop, and influencing policy and practice Lloyds Bank Foundation help small and local charities thrive, communities grow stronger, and people overcome complex issues and barriers so they can transform their lives.”

Separately, a community space belonging to The Turning Tides Project was broken into and vandalised last month.

Several new art installations at “Four for All” off Four Mills Lane were destroyed. Racist graffiti in the form of a swastika was also discovered.

If you saw what happened or know anything about the incident, contact police online or by telephoning 101 quoting crime reference 50250326291.