PIONEERING projects which turn lives ruined by drink and drugs around have been rewarded with funding for another three years.

Cadas and The Well, based in Paradise Street, Barrow, have together secured almost £500,000 in investment from a fourth successful Big Lottery application.

It means their vital recovery work in Barrow and the South Lakes will continue until 2018 to help hundreds of people get clean, take control of their lives and secure employment.

Distinguished guests, including the mayor of Barrow, Councillor Ann Thomson, and the high chief sheriff of Cumbria, Sam Rayner, were invited to an open day on Thursday (25/02) to find out how both charities have helped people when they were at their lowest points.

Natalia Wealleans-Turner, volunteer at Cadas Barrow and former manager, said the funding will be a huge boost to people overcoming addictions, their families and the community.

She said: "This service is vital. It is a great development for our local community. It allows us to extend the kind of support available. 

"I think the fact a lot of government services have had huge cuts and their service offering is slim means we are more reliant on services like Cadas and The Well to deliver support to vulnerable people.

"We see people and that's what makes Cadas very special. We believe that change is possible.

"Our work isn't done. During the next three years we have got to sustain this funding."

A host of service users spoke about their drug and alcohol past at the open day, including one man who told the audience how he left prison with just a handful of cash and no support before he joined The Well and turned his life around.

Collectively, Cadas and The Well offer one-to-one intervention and projects to encourage service users to take up volunteering, training and ultimately employment.

Family nights, football teams, group therapy and workshops offer a chance for many people with Cadas and The Well to develop safe and lasting relationships.

David Higham, chief executive of The Well, said: "Before us people have been leaving this area and getting well and going back to a different community.

"We work from the bottom up, not the top down."

Sam Rayner presented Mr Higham and The Well with the high sheriff of Cumbria award and £3,000 in additional funds for the project.