SWAN Advocacy, a Salisbury charity which provides free advocacy services for vulnerable adults, has secured a grant for almost £10,000.

The money, from the Big Lottery Fund, will go towards helping the charity to deliver its Improving Access to Advocacy project and will also cover the training of at least two new volunteer advocates. And there will be a host of improvements to the way the charity operates, including the redevelopment of Swan's office in Milford Street.

The reception area will be improved, and private screened areas created for one-to-one sessions. Six new docking stations for the advocacy team and volunteers will also be introduced, which will enable them to visit clients at their homes, in care homes or in a hospital setting.

Teresa Wells, interim chief executive for Swan, said: “We are thrilled to have received this grant and we’re so grateful to the Big Lottery Fund. The money will enable us to keep providing an essential service to those vulnerable people who most need our support.

"The docking stations will markedly improve the service we provide through our growing team of volunteer advocates and help us reach out to those who cannot make it to our offices.”

Swan offers support to people with mental health problems, the elderly and those with learning disabilities across Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset. For more information visit swanadvocacy.org.uk.