MORE than half a million pounds will be given to Gloucestershire communities to boost health and wellbeing.

Forty-two projects run by charities and voluntary groups will receive the cash as part of The Healthy Together grant from Gloucestershire County Council.

The £530,000 is being shared to help tackle a range of health related issues including reducing diabetes, helping to teach people to cook and eat healthily, improving mental health, reducing loneliness and isolation, supporting carers and more.

Voluntary and community groups, registered charities, community companies, parish and town councils, schools, pre-schools and faith groups were all invited to apply for the funding before the end of last year and 99 applications were made.

The priorities for each area were identified by county councillors and the final awards agreed by panel of members in each district.

Cllr Andrew Gravells, cabinet member for public health at Gloucestershire County Council said, “This funding gives communities the tools to tackle health and well being issues that really matter to them in their local area.

“It’s great to see this funding going towards helping a real mix of projects at grass roots level, making a real difference to people.

Healthy Together is in addition to the county council’s Active Together grant scheme, offering £40,000 in each division to increase sport and physical activity for local people, and the Children’s Activity Fund which offers £5,000 in each division to help young people between five to 18 years old play and get active.

For further information and a full list of the 42 projects awarded Healthy Together funding please visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/healthytogether