A new project in Knowle West has received nearly £500,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to improve the lives of local residents with mental health problems.

The £489,017 three-year grant from BIG's Reaching Communities programme has been awarded to the Knowle West Health Park Community Interest Company (KWHPCIC).

It will be used to fund the Focus on Families project, which supports adults, young people and children suffering from mild to moderate mental health problems including the effects of violence, abuse, bereavement, and other traumatic events.

The service is targeted at people suffering from a recognised mental health problem and the aim is to prevent people's symptoms from escalating to a point where they need emergency support.

Rose Manning, chairwoman of KWHPCIC, said: "Knowle West is a community where many families struggle in isolation with conflict, abuse, trauma, violence and mental health problems.

"We are delighted to receive this award from the Big Lottery Fund.

"It will enable us to work in creative ways with different members of the same family, to improve their day to day lives and help them to resolve past and present issues in order to build positive relationships, manage family life, become happier and improve their wellbeing. Family members will be able to get counselling, attend parenting courses, have family therapy, work with play and drama therapists and come to sessions to address anger, stress, panic attacks and depression.

"In addition, there are initiatives to resolve conflict arising between families and their community."

Mark Cotton, of the Big Lottery Fund, said: "Mental health problems often go undiscovered and people are left to deal with conditions such as stress, depression and anxiety on their own.

"By funding this project we are helping KWHPCIC to provide vital assistance right at the heart of the community, providing the support and advice needed to overcome these problems and preventing them from escalating further."