A charity supporting communities in South Gloucestershire has been awarded £55,000 of Government money to spend on improving adult learning.

The Southern Brooks Community Partnership has given support to families, the elderly, children and young people in areas such as Patchway, Filton and Bradley Stoke for the past 21 years.

It is already putting the money to good use and is running taster sessions for its Do Something Different campaign aimed at out-of-work adults who fancy learning a new skill.

The taster sessions give people a free chance to try different activities, including cooking, yoga, computing, photography, hair and beauty and gardening.

The charity will then judge from feedback which activities are the most popular, and fund courses to run until the end of March 2010.

Sue Smith, training co-ordinator at the charity, said: "We are really happy to have got this money, and are putting it to good use."

The next free taster sessions are on October 21, at BAWA in Southmead Road, Filton, from 10.30am-12.30pm and 1-3pm, on October 27, at Little Stoke Hall in Little Stoke Park, Stoke Lane, from 6.30-8.30pm and on October 28 at Bradley Stoke Community School in Fiddlers Wood Lane from 10.30am-12.30pm and 1-3pm.

There is no need to book a place, but transport or creche facilities do need to be booked by calling Sue Smith on 01454 868 570.