A GROUP of five organisations are being awarded donations 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.