A CHARITY which gives people a ‘hand-up” says it feels as if it has won the lottery after being handed the keys to a building.

Bolton Nice ­—Bolton Neighbourhood Investment in Community Enterprise ­— has moved into the Quest Centre in Brownlow Way, a building it asked the council for in 2017.

But after approaching the new ruling administration, the keys to the spacious building were handed over in a matter of weeks to the organisation, which provides a wide range of services for those who have fallen on hard times.

Martin McLoughlin from Bolton Nice said: “It’s like winning the lottery ­— this will allow us to help more people and work on a larger scale. Bolton Nice works 365 days a year and we have been operating from a room in School Hill, which Bolton at Home gave us when we were told to leave the Victory Road centre in 2017. Bolton at Home really rescued the organisation, but we were doing everything out of one room so it was on smaller scale.”

He added: “I approached Cllr David Greenhalgh, the leader of Bolton Council, to see if we could have the building, which had remained empty. Within a matter of weeks we were given the keys.

“The building is amazing ­— it means we can areas where we can speak to people about what has happened and how we can help, we can have a community cafe, work with other organisations, put on activities, help people use the internet to apply for jobs and to build people’s confidence.”

During the current coronavirus crisis, the centre will operate as a food bank, distributing food to the homeless and taking food to families in a safe manner.

“After this there will be a lot of desperate people, lot a families struggling who will need help,” said Martin.

Bolton Nice provides clothes, furniture and food for those who need it as well as welfare advice and also works with other organisations to ensure people get the help and support they need.

“I always wanted a one-stop service for people who needed it and we can do this here,” said Martin, “We do not give hand-outs we give a hand-up.”

Bolton Nice is dependent on a band of volunteers, some of who were helped by the charity. Organisations Bolton Nice also works for have been helping out.

The charity is currently moving into the building and is appealing for volunteers to join it, as well as donations of food to distribute. The organisation is hoping businesses can lend a hand, especially in providing a front door.

“One volunteer said to me when people come in they are down and feel miserable but when they leave they are happy and that is payment enough,” concluded Martin.

Anyone who can help should visit Bolton Nice fundraising page or phone 07900535403.