by Alan Quick

THREE local organisations are among 251 projects across the South West which have been granted National Lottery funding through the Big Lottery Fund for community projects

Cheriton Fitzpaine Community Shop will receive £10,000 of National Lottery Awards for All funding to fit out a new community shop, creating a facility which serves the needs of this rurally isolated area.

The Churches Housing Action Team (Mid Devon) Limited also receives £10,000 of National Lottery Awards for All funding.

CHAT will use the funding to help tackle the homeless and housing crisis in the area.

It will provide one-to-one help for people who are homeless or require support with tenancy issues, so that they can receive advice regarding their specific situations.

INVOLVE, Voluntary Action in Mid Devon, receives £8,507 of Awards for All funding to run workshops for community groups in order to develop a range of skills.

The project aims to improve the resilience of these groups by creating peer support, practical guidance and strategies to create better service delivery.

The 251 organisations across the South West receive more than £5.3 million in this latest round of awards.