A project to improve opportunities for health and fitness for people in Dudley has been boosted by almost £350,000 of lottery cash.

The money has been awarded to the Tandrusti Project.

The move will benefit those from ethnic minority backgrounds. The project was set up in 2001 to promote the benefits of exercise and a balanced diet.

Tandrusti, which means health and well-being in the main Asian languages, offers health information and advice relevant to people from these backgrounds as often programmes fail to address the language and cultural barriers.

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A project to improve opportunities for health and fitness for people in Dudley has been boosted by almost £350,000 of lottery cash.

The money has been awarded to the Tandrusti Project.

The move will benefit those from ethnic minority backgrounds. The project was set up in 2001 to promote the benefits of exercise and a balanced diet.

Tandrusti, which means health and well-being in the main Asian languages, offers health information and advice relevant to people from these backgrounds as often programmes fail to address the language and cultural barriers.

It can advise on a range of illnesses and conditions such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, osteoporosis and strokes. Project manager, Harjinder Kang, said the project had made a real difference to people’s lives. “The feedback from our learners is heart-warming,” he said.

“Many of them felt no-one was taking a real interest in their health and they had accepted their medical condition as something they could not do anything about.

“When someone tells you that for the first time in 15 years they can sit on the floor and play with their grandchildren, you appreciate the value of Tandrusti.”

The project’s patron is 94-year-old Fauja Singh, a world marathon record holder in the over 90s category. The founders are hoping to recruit health champion volunteers who will promote the work of Tandrusti.

For more information call WEA’s regional office on 0121 666 6101 or access the WEA website on www.westmidlands.wea.org.uk/tandrusti.