A North Yorkshire charity is celebrating after being awarded £20,000 in National Lottery funding to support its work with adults with learning disabilities.

The Yatton House Society, based in Great Ayton, will use the money to create a new activity room and to make essential repairs to the building.

Yatton House Society has been operating since 1981 and is run by a dedicated team of full and part-time staff and volunteers.

It was founded in response to concerns by parents and carers that, following completion of statutory education, there were no opportunities for the continued development of adults with a learning disability.

Volunteers and people that Yatton House helpVolunteers and people that Yatton House help (Image: YATTON HOUSE) Yatton House Society runs as a day service which supports more than 25 adults, offering a range of activities including horticulture, drama, food preparation and cooking, exercise classes including gym, swimming and pop mobility, arts and crafts and digital skills.

The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will provide a new multi-purpose activity room allowing Yatton House to increase its service capacity and help safeguard the future of the facility.

Chris Reeve, assistant manager and fundraising coordinator, said: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way.

"Now, thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to deliver this important next phase in the development of our service and facilities.

"Adults with a learning disability face many challenges in life and this funding is important because it will allow us to meet the needs of more people, enhancing their health and wellbeing and providing the skills they need to live as independent lives as possible.”

Jonathan Stephenson, service manager, added: “Yatton House Society embarked on a multi-phase building improvement program in 2018, this current project being phase five.

"We could not have achieved the transformation in our facilities and service without the ongoing support of The National Lottery Community Fund for which we are most grateful.”