FOUR voluntary groups in the borough have scooped nearly £500,000 in the latest round of Commmunity Fund grants.
This funding, which comes from the National Lottery Charities Board, brings Greenwich's total to more than £9.5m, through 93 grants, since October 1995.
The largest grant of £186,000 has been awarded to the Central Eltham Youth Project, based in Eltham High Street.
The cash, over three years, will pay salaries and running costs as the group wishes to move to the central area of the high street.
With five paid staff and a core group of young volunteers, the service is aimed at being a first port of call for 11 to 21 year olds who are seeking information and advice.
It was set up three years ago with a £151,000 National Lottery grant.
But, until recently, the future of the project was uncertain.
Project chairman Dave Norman said: "This second lottery grant recognises the invaluable contribution this project has made to local young people.
"The project was always seen as risky because it did not fit the conventional pattern of work with our younger people."
Other groups getting a share of the £483,780 cash boost include:
l £59,980 to Greenwich Mediation which will be used to give training in mediation and conflict resolution to referral agencies, voluntary organisations and community groups.
l £65,179 to Opport Foundation at the Charlton Advice Centre, to improve management service delivery and user participation.
l £172,621 for Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency Limited to support, train and build on five successfully piloted Local Exchange Training Schemes.
Community Fund London chairman Anne Page is urging groups to apply under the new grants programme, which incorporates faster and simpler application forms and a quicker decision making process.
She said: "We are delighted our efforts to work with the local authority and council for voluntary services are paying dividends and that Greenwich voluntary groups are now receiving a fairer distribution of grants."
Groups requiring more information or an application pack should call 020 7587 6600.
December 10, 2001 18:11
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