AN EAST Cornwall councillor is encouraging community and voluntary groups to apply for grants of up to £1,000.

It was announced recently that not-for-profit groups were invited to apply for grants as part of Cornwall Council’s community chest grant scheme for 2017/18.

Cornwall Council Cllr Dorothy Kirk, whose ward is Gunnislake and Calstock, welcomes all local groups, which have been officially established, to apply.

Each of Cornwall Council’s 123 councillors have a total fund of £2,000 to support projects.

Cllr Kirk said: ‘It is great to be able to help local groups whose aim is to help the local community.’

‘This is my community and I will spend every penny of my total fund on it. We are at the edge of Cornwall and we need everything we can get — we can use every penny as a little bit can go a long way.’

The grants can be used to help a wide range of people and activities, from helping vulnerable children or adults to providing facilities for older people, and supporting local environment projects to helping to tackle community safety issues.

One previous grant awarded and used in the East Cornwall area saw a group of people and helpers learn sign language in order to help a young girl who needed specialist teaching through sign language.

Councillor Edwina Hannaford, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for neighbourhoods, said: ‘Community groups across Cornwall support an amazing range of worthwhile projects in local areas, which councillors help support through this fund.

‘Last year Cornwall councillors awarded 751 grants for initiatives ranging from community facilities to schemes promoting healthy living, music and sport. Many groups used the grants to help attract match funding, leading to over £2-million more being poured in to local projects and organisations.

‘Town and parish councils, village or community hall associations, parent teacher associations, scout and guide groups and many more are eligible for funding. Talk to your Cornwall councillor to find out whether they can support your application.’

The grants are available for specific projects rather than ongoing running costs and full guidance on eligibility is available at www.cornwall.gov.uk/community-and-living/grants-advice-service/cornwall-councillor-community-grant

Applications can be made any time up until the closing date of February 16, 2018.