A GROUP of five organisations are being awarded handouts totalling more than £8,000 under Taunton Deane Council’s Voluntary and Community Sector Grants scheme.

Blackdown Support Group gets £1,500 for a community transport scheme, and to support elderly and disabled people in rural areas through advocacy and mentoring, foot care service, and monthly over 65s lunch clubs.

The Police Cadet programme receives £3,000 for cadets to attend community events in Taunton Deane’s deprived areas to educate young people on the effects of anti--social behaviour through interactive equipment.

Somerset Playing Fields will use its £550 for running costs of providing advice and support to community organisations wishing to set up or who are managing playfields, sports facilities or play areas.

A team of 20 volunteers will be trained thanks to £1,000 given to 4-40 volunteers, which provides support for the wives and partners of Royal Marines serving overseas or who have been killed or wounded in action.

Compass Disability Services benefits from a £2,000 windfall to set up a carer’s home befriending service to phone carers on a weekly basis and to signpost carers to relevant services or community groups.