COMMUNITY groups which aim to help vulnerable people are set to receive a combined £230,000 worth of grant funding.

The cash is from Colchester Council’s voluntary welfare grant for 2018/19 which support key community and voluntary projects which fit in with the authority’s key aims.

More than £500,000 worth of requests from groups were made for the money when applications were open from July until September last year.

To be eligible, organisations had to either increase volunteering, help people build skills for life or work, prevent loneliness, support people to take action in their communities or help vulnerable people improve their lives.

The two groups which are set to receive £50,000 - the largest amount handed out - are Colchester and Tendring Women’s Refuge and Citizens Advice Colchester.

Beverley Jones, the chief executive officer of the refuge, said the money would be used on the group’s community outreach programme and their work with children.

She said: “It is a huge amount of money for us. It means we are able to continue to provide the services we do in the area which are absolutely vital.

“Without this money more men, women and children would find themselves in situations which are unsafe.

“We will spend every penny of it wisely.”

Colchester Council’s housing and communities boss Tina Bourne (Lab) said: “The standard of applications for this year was extremely high and the final choice of recipients was a difficult decision to make.

“The voluntary welfare grant is an opportunity for the council to demonstrate Colchester’s appreciation for the efforts of community groups whose important work often goes on quietly without recognition.

“This funding is well-deserved by all of the groups who have been awarded and I look forward to seeing them putting it to good use.”

Other recipients of grant money include Age Concern Colchester which will receive £11,450 and Beacon House which will benefit from £13,000.

The Colchester Furniture Project which provides free household effect to disadvantaged people has been given £15,000 and the Colchester Emergency Night Shelter £20,200.

The Youth Enquiry Service which offers non-judgemental advice to youngsters has been given £30,350.

The remaining £40,000 was allocated to Community360 - a group which will be mentoring the chosen recipients and helps co-ordinate volunteering in the area.