COMMUNITY groups are in line for a slice of £600,000 funding from Southend Council.

Projects will be awarded grants ranging from £20,000 to £200,000 to spend over the next three years, if the council approves the grants next month.

Groups including Southend YMCA, Harp and Southend Association of Voluntary Services put in bids for funding.

Gary Turner, service operations manager for Harp said: “We are delighted we are being recommended for further council funding. If approved, we can look forward to continuing to provide a valuable service to those homeless, isolated, impoverished and in need in Southend, and working in partnership with the council to do that.”

Southend Mencap and Trinity Family Centre are set to be awarded a grant to help them to continue to provide opportunities for vulnerable and disadvantaged people aged 25 and over.

Marc McOwens, general manager of Southend Mencap, said: “Southend Mencap and Trinity Family Centre are incredibly pleased Southend Council has recognised the importance of our work and the benefits it provides to people with learning disabilities to allow them to lead as active lives as possible.

“We look forward to delivering the services with the council’s funding support and wish to thank them for their commitment to our work.”

Depending on how much funding they are given, Mr McOwens says the money will support sports, music and dance sessions for people with learning disabilities as well work experience, advice and guidance.

Ian Gilbert, councillor for community development, said: “While councils up and down the country are cutting their support to community groups like this, this council is determined to continue supporting the community and voluntary sector where good cases for funding are put forward.

“It would be easy to look at the cuts we face and end this funding stream, but it would be foolish and counter-productive in my view. All of these groups deliver excellent services to the community, and by working with them and providing this funding we can actually reduce dependence on some council services, while providing members of the community most in need with good voluntary- led services and programmes.

“I am delighted to be recommending this to cabinet and full council and look forward to working with the organisations concerned.”

WHO will receive funding for the next three years?

  • Harp and Southend Vineyard – to provide homeless support
  • Cab and Royal Association of Deaf (Rad) – to provide good quality, easily accessible and legally based advice and support services ! Southend United Community and Educational Trust and Trust Links – to provide positive opportunities for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people aged 16-25 years to get back into work
  • Age Concern, SEEAFOP, BATIAS and Trinity Family Centre – to help over sixties stay independent and active ! Southend Mencap and Trinity Family Centre – to provide opportunities for vulnerable and disadvantaged people aged 25 and over to stay active in the community
  • SOS Domestic Abuse Project – to provide community-based support to those who are victims of domestic abuse and its effects
  • Savs – two awards – one for their work which helps support and strengthen local charities, voluntary and community groups and one award to promote and encourage meaningful volunteering across the borough.

Additional grants, to be given over one year, will be given to:

  • Southend YMCA, Southend Vineyard and Trinity Family Centre – to provide opportunities for vulnerable and disadvantaged people aged 25 and over to stay active in the community
  • Southend United Community and Educational Trust – to help over sixties stay independent and active.