THE home secretary has announced vital funding for the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation as part of plans to improve services which support victims of terrorism in the UK.

The charity's UK-wide service will focus on providing a long-term peer support network for victims of terrorism, connecting them to others who have had similar experiences.

It is based at the Peace Centre in Great Sankey, off Cromwell Avenue.

Home secretary Priti Patel is announcing a partnership led by the Home Office Victims of Terrorism Unit.

The foundation is one of four organisations that will create a national partnership to draw on their expertise to provide a range of specialist advice and support to individuals who have experienced a terrorist attack, either in the UK or abroad.

Victim Support will run a 24-hour assessment service which will ensure each person receives tailored help after being impacted by terrorism.

South London and Maudsley NHS Trust will provide specialist clinical mental health screening and therapy.

Cruse Bereavement Care will provide specialist bereavement support for victims who would not otherwise be eligible through the existing Homicide Service, such as witnesses and first responders.

A total of £500,000 will be split equally between the four successful bidders following the conclusion of a competitive fund, which was announced by the home secretary in March.

Victim Support, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, Cruse Bereavement Care and the Peace Foundation will each receive £125,000 to provide advice and support to those who have been affected by terrorist attacks.

The Peace Foundation was established after the deaths of 12-year-old Tim Parry and three-year-old Johnathan Ball in the IRA attack in March 1993.

Chief executive Nick Taylor said: “Over two decades we have developed a unique peer-to-peer approach to help people share their experiences, receive specialist advice, and improve health and wellbeing.

“This Home Office funding is welcome and helps secure the Peace Foundation service and, along with the other victim support partner organisations, will strengthen the support available for those people affected by terrorism.”

Ms Patel says she is determined to make sure that victims of terrorism receive the support they deserve, as soon as they need it.

She added: “This new funding is so important to provide more care and specialist advice to those up and down the country who have suffered trauma as a result of terrorism.”

Warrington South MP Andy Carter said: “The Peace Foundation is very much part of the fabric of life in Warrington because of their unique offer, both for people in the town and across the UK, supporting victims of terrorism.

“Having worked with the Home Secretary and Prime Minister, I’m very pleased to be able to confirm that their essential work can continue and this new partnership will provide the vital support for young people such as the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing into the future.”

Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols has also issued a statement.

She said: "The Home Secretary has acknowledged what communities here have always known; that the tireless efforts of Colin Parry and all those at the Peace Foundation makes a huge difference to victims of terror.

"This is very welcome news, but the best way to build on this commitment is to secure the foundation’s long-term future beyond April next year. That is what I will be urging the government to do."