Two community projects in the Cotswolds are set to benefit from grant funding from Cotswold District Council.

The council's community activity support grant scheme offers each ward in the district a pot of £2,500 to help proposed projects in their areas.

There have been several successful applications in the latest round of funding including Cotswold Friends, who were granted a £1000 award in grant funding to provide community activities for older people who live alone.

The group's community activities programme aims to tackle social isolation amongst older residents and other groups in the community.

For over 40 years, Cotswold Friends have provided services for the community and this new programme will provide weekly lunch clubs and monthly activity groups, together with an integrated transport service, to keep people connected.

Tetbury Men in Sheds volunteer group has also been awarded £330 towards their project that is working to encourage individuals facing loneliness, isolation and depression to move away from a solitary existence and come together to participate in practical activities.

Men in Shed’s have plans to use the funding to enhance their environmental offering by purchasing materials and safety equipment for the management of beekeeping at their rejuvenated allotment.

Community wellbeing manager, Jacqueline Wright, said: “These grants can be of great benefit to local communities. We hope people from across the whole district will apply for funds to support events, activities or projects that will enhance the quality of life for local people.

"It’s particularly important to support projects that involve young people, positively impact on mental health or schemes that will improve the quality of our environment by taking action to combat waste and climate change.”

Grants are awarded on a case-by-case basis between £100 and £1000 but in exceptional circumstances, or where the project will benefit across multiple wards, larger grants may be considered.

Applications for new grants are open and submissions must be made by January, 13, 2020.

To apply for a grant, visit https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/communitygrants