A SALISBURY charity has secured three more years to help children with disabilities.

Barnardo's has been re-awarded £570,000 by Wiltshire Council to continue running clubs, activities and trips for children with special education needs.

Launched in 2010, the Wiltshire Short Breaks and Positive Activities Service will continue offering young people (between 6 and 18-years-old) opportunities to learn new skills and be involved with the community.

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Activities on offer have previously included swimming, trampolining, cooking, sports, music and crafts, as well as a Salisbury social club.

Laura Mayes, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for children’s services, said Banardo's offer a "great" and "extremely important" service for young people, adding: “We know these activities really benefit children and young people with disabilities, helping to increase their confidence and improve their social skills. It also means greater inclusion within the local community."

Additionally the charity is seeking to work with other community groups and provide young people with the experience of working in local stores.

The new three-year contract will begin from April 1, 2019.

Barnardo’s children’s services manager Liz James is "delighted" with the secured funds and contract, adding: “Our dedicated and experienced teams provide fun, safe and personalised activities which offer life-changing opportunities for friendship and socialising.

"We also arrange regular outings to ensure that children and young people can integrate into the community and participate in local events."

Stuart Hall, strategic director of the Wiltshire Parent Carer Council added: "We are particularly excited by Barnardo’s commitment to support and empower community groups, and deliver music workshops during the summer school holiday, all of which is in direct response to feedback as a result of parent participation."