Sefton Library Service is celebrating after being awarded almost £240,000 in National Lottery funding to support the Human Library project.

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK.

The award will provide three years funding to Sefton Libraries to offer a programme of creative activities that invite local people to meet spend time together, and make their neighbourhood a better place to live.

It builds on a successful pilot project supported by Arts Council England.

The project will see a year-round creative programme in Bootle, Crosby and Netherton libraries, volunteering opportunities, and new initiatives including creating a garden space for Bootle library, and programmes of work with young families and refugees.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way.

“Sefton’s libraries are creative, innovative and support the local community and individuals to flourish.

“Libraries are vital community spaces, with a key role in the cultural life of our borough.”

Tanya Wilcock, Sefton Council’s Head of Communities, added: “Through this project we are creating a sense of wellbeing and supporting people in their own community. People don’t just use our libraries to read books.

“Through The Human Library local people can enjoy the arts, be creative, learn skills and make friends, creating a network and community that wouldn’t have existed otherwise.”

Human Library is a project by Sefton Library Service in partnership with local arts organisation Rule of Threes. The idea behind the project is that everyone has “gifts of the heart, the hand and the head” to offer their community. Artists projects, commissions and events help local people find and share these gifts. A new season of events will begin in September.

To find out more or to take part click here