IN the current economic climate, with the credit crunch causing job losses for many people in North East Lincolnshire, Medulla Ltd is as busy as ever.

The organisation, based on Grimsby's East Marsh, at Freeman Street Resource Centre, Kent Street, runs courses for the unemployed.

Between 2008 and 2011 they will benefit from Fair Share Trust (FST) funding to the tune of £27,000.

The FST, an initiative set up in 2003 and funded by the Big Lottery, was launched to make sure every area in the country received its "fair share" of Lottery funding.

At Medulla, the unemployed are given help to increase their confidence, which can then help them take the next step towards getting a job.

Much of the funding Medulla receives from the FST has been used to help educate schoolchildren in the area – who take the same courses given to the unemployed.

Medulla director Yvonne Mackle said: "The funding we have had has been vital to us.

"It has enabled us to go into schools, and run courses to hopefully give confidence to the unemployed.

"It has kept a few people in jobs."

Grimsby Fish Market has received £20,000 of FST funding.

Owned by Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises Ltd, the Wharncliffe Road based market has been an integral part of the area since it opened in 1996.

Although FST funding no longer contributes to the market, there is no doubting the difference it has made.

Sue Fortune, grants manager for the FST, said: "They applied to FST for a contribution of £20,000 to help towards a new fish grading machine – which they received.

"Before they had such a machine, when the fish was delivered, it had to be graded by hand.

"Now the machine does it for them, and I've heard that getting it was such a success they went and got another one.

"Five local people were employed to manage the machine, so it worked really well."