LEISURE?in the Community, the not-for-profit organisation that holds the leisure management contract for both Parklands Leisure Centre and Meadowlands Leisure Pool, has awarded £10,000 to support local charity, OCRA (Okehampton Community Recreation Association) in a 12-month project to get more people in West Devon active and creative.

The grant will focus on three main objectives:

l To increase participation in physical activity and the arts for all ages and abilities.

l To work with under-represented groups and individuals including those who are on low incomes, are rurally isolated, have specific health problems or physical/learning disabilities.

l To support the 2015 Sainsbury's School Games Competition locally.

It is anticipated that the project will positively impact on over 3,000 people across West Devon, developing their skills and confidence and enabling them to make healthier choices.

The funding will also result in additional employment opportunities for local people as the project will require more trained people in rural communities to deliver sports and activity programmes.

Jon Smith, contract manager for 1Life, which operates the centres on behalf of the Leisure in the Community Trust, said: 'It's fantastic that we are able to provide funding to such an important local programme through Leisure in the Community.

'The aims of this new project will mean that we are able to provide more access to activity and creativity for more people, no matter what their location or circumstances. 1Life will be fully supporting this OCRA programme and helping to ensure that it reaches as many people as possible during the coming 12 months.'

Stuart Lord, OCRA Manager said: 'This is great news about LITC's support for our exciting sports, health and art project that will impact positively on people of all abilities, ages, backgrounds in a wide range of locations across West Devon.'