The group was established in 1994

The money means Cyswllt Ceredigion Contact can fund its work until 2007.

The group will also be able to pay for a new crèche and a training scheme to help victims of abuse get back to work.

The agency, set up in 1994, plans to employ more trained counsellors in the future too.

It helps dozens of people every year affected by drugs, alcohol, eating disorders or mental health issues.

The money has come via an Objective 1 grant from the European Social Fund.

Maureen Fyffe says she is grateful for the Objective 1 money

Cyswllt employs eight staff and three volunteers at Aberystwyth's North Parade and said it would be able to work throughout Ceredigion.

Director Maureen Fyffe said: "We are planning to employ more counsellors as we help treat more people, but that won't happen overnight.

"As the grant as enabled us to go county-wide, we are looking at transport to help clients travel for treatment and training.

"But nothing has been decided yet and we have a number of issues we're looking at.