Groups which play vital roles in helping people across the borough amid the cost of living crisis have been given a helping hand.

Schemes to provide nutritious meals, help young people take part in sport, debt advice, increase the skills of people with learning disabilities or autism, and access to computers and support with going digital have received funding.

They have each been given up to £5,000 from the council's Cost-of-Living Community Fund, with £50,000 handed out in the latest round.

Project to support with ready cooked meals as part of a befriending service and help to increase the the resilience of foodbanks and pantries across the borough are among those which have benefited.

Such cost of living grants have helped groups such as food pantry Trust House improve its services during the current difficult times amid rising costs.

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Cllr Richard Gold, cabinet member for communities and finance, said: “We continue to work closely with our amazing voluntary, community and faith sector to collectively address both the impacts of current cost of living pressures but also to work together to tackle the underlying causes of poverty.

“Through the partnership Anti-Poverty Steering Group and cost of living summits, the importance of the role of local community organisations is hugely recognised.

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“These grants are playing such a key role in supporting those who need it most in our communities.

“I’ve seen the vital work that these groups do and to hear first-hand from volunteers and residents about the struggles they are facing."

The money has been made available through the council and the government’s Household Support Fund.

Bury Voluntary Community Faith Alliance, the borough’s local infrastructure organisation for the voluntary sector, delivered the fund on the council’s behalf.