WOMEN are being invited to sign up for free courses at a new centre.

Aspire Learning Support Wellbeing has taken the place of the Bridge Project in Chester-le-Street, and is holding an enrolment day next Wednesday, December 19.

Aspire runs courses that focus on health, childcare, and personal development, as well as offering a range of support and wellbeing services.

The centre provides a safe and comfortable environment for women to meet and make friends, with a limited amount of free on-site childcare.

The courses and facilities work to provide a strong support network for women in the area allowing them to learn, develop confidence and nurture talents and new skills.

Women are invited to enrol in person at Aspire’s centre, Aspire House, at the back of Front Street, or call 0191-3891504 between 9.30am and 4pm.

The majority of the courses are free, will last ten weeks and are for women aged 19 and over.

Specialised subjects – including paediatric first aid, computing and digital art – will also available.

The centre’s official launch day is on Thursday, December 20.

Aspire’s director, Jan Vincent, said: “This is about helping people to make life choices, helping them to decide where they want to be, and providing them with the tools to get there.”

Aspire Learn has been providing the services formerly delivered by Bridge since September and is a community interest company set up by staff formerly employed by Bridge.