MORE than 20 community groups in Taunton have benefited from a batch of grant funding.

The money, from Taunton Deane Borough Council, administered by the Somerset Community Foundation, has seen 23 groups in the area received grants from £500-£1,000.

The groups included are charities, social enterprises and community groups from around the borough.

The organisations to benefit are:

• Back on Track - £1,000

• CHARIS - £1,000

• Christmas Sparkle - £1,000

• Escape Support Group - £500

• GoCreate Taunton - £1,000

• Kingston St Mary Youth Group - £1,000

• Neroche Local History Group - £555

• North Taunton Partnership - £1,000

• On Your Bike - £1,000

• Samaritans of Taunton & Somerset - £1,000

• St Mary Magdalene PCC - £500

• Somerset Wildlife Trust - £1,000

• Stand Against Violence - £1,000

• Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir - £500

• Taunton East Development Trust - £1,000

• The Friendship Circle of Langford Budville - £500

• Trull PC - £1,000

• Ups and Downs South West - £1,000

• Wellington Community Counselling - £1,000

• Wellington Mills - £800

• Wellington Petanque Club - £1,000

• Wellsprings Chapel - £1,000

• Work-Wise - £1,000

CHARIS, based in Taunton, is one of the groups to have been awarded a grant this year. The charity works to help refugees who have come to Somerset.

Lisa Westlake, operations director, said: “We are thrilled with our grant - it will make such a difference to the delivery of our English lessons to refugees in the Taunton Deane area.

"Many of the refugee families we work with are so keen to study or work, however their first language is not English. By offering several English classes a week, we are able to help them enormously.

"We’ll be using our grant to buy tables and chairs for our teaching room, providing a comfortable and practical environment in which the refugees can learn.”

Jane Warmington, Taunton Deane Borough Council executive member and portfolio holder for community leadership said: “We are fortunate to have a range of charities and community organisations that provide much valued services to people living in Taunton Deane. It is vital that we support those who work so hard to enable and support others and I am delighted that so many have been awarded grants to help with their projects and running costs.”

If you run a local community project and would like to find out more about grant funding, call Somerset Community Foundation on 01749 344949 or visit somersetcf.org.uk.