A range of learning activities is to be made available in a deprived area of Bradford.

The Attock Community Association in Little Horton was today awarded £268,366 by the Big Lottery Fund.

The three-year funding for the Learning for Life project will provide an array of educational projects including training in IT, English for speakers of other languages, sewing, cookery, child care, interview skills, CV writing and employment development.

The community association will also hope to offer health activities such as Ju-Jitsu, walking and exercise classes thanks to the funding from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme.

Centre manager Mukhtar Ahmed said: “The Big Lottery Fund grant will be used to minimise unemployment, encourage community cohesion, provide choices and opportunities for healthy living and build better and healthier communities.

“The programme aims to improve living conditions and reduce unemployment in deprived local communities and encourage and motivate self-reliance and confidence in individuals.

“A significant number of local community members will benefit in an environment which is conducive, supportive and easily accessible to the deprived communities of the Little Horton ward.”

The community association, in Chichester House, Melbourne Place, was established in 2002 with the aim of addressing barriers to social inclusion and inequalities in health, education and employment.

Caroline James, Big Lottery Fund head of region for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “This fantastic community project will work hard to build the skills of the local community, while keeping them fit and healthy at the same time.

“The courses and activities on offer will open up opportunities for local people who often feel excluded from mainstream learning opportunities.”

e-mail: james.rush@telegraphandargus.co.uk