A SOUTH Lakeland project to help victims of domestic violence is in the running for a £50,000 grant.

‘Dream It, Believe It, Achieve It’, run by Kendal women’s refuge Springfield, will be competing against four other community schemes for the cash from the ‘People’s Projects’ Big Lottery Fund.

Springfield was invited to apply for the ‘People’s Projects’ money after success with a Big Lottery ‘Awards for All’ grant of just over £5,000 which was used to run an activity programme during 2014/2015.

The ‘Dream It, Believe It, Achieve It’ project will build on the learning from the Awards for All programme.

Women will be encouraged to participate in activities that take place away from the Refuge, including physical activity days at the Bendrigg Trust Activity Centre and the Kendal Climbing Wall, local camping trips and ‘social activities’ through visits to local tourist attractions.

The intention is to build women’s self-esteem, confidence and personal respect and develop life skills, financial management, healthy eating, and improved parenting skills.

Some of the money from the project would be used to lease the Kendal Lads’ and Girls’ Club community centre as a base for outreach services.

The Springfield bid will be up against four other projects in the Border TV region, with viewers invited to vote for the project they would like to see receive the money.

Springfield manager Angela Speak said: “This is like the X-Factor for community projects – and we are appealing for South Lakeland residents, and friends and colleagues from wider afield, to back us to win.

“This is an innovative project that will really make a difference to women in South Lakeland who have suffered domestic abuse.”

To vote go to www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk.