FOUR Barrow community groups have been given a share of £30,000.

Cumbria Housing Partners Fund has granted a total of £28,265 to support the ongoing work at Women’s Community Matters, Drop Zone Youth Projects, Marvellous Holiday Club and Love Barrow Families.

Women’s Community Matters has been awarded £12,000 to employ a newly qualified social worker to pilot a six month project aimed at improving access to and availability of domestic abuse support services in the area.

Drop Zone Youth Project received £5,451 to employ staff to deliver a healthy eating project in their four youth clubs in the community.

Marvellous Holiday Club has been given a funding boost of £7,000 to employ two qualified teachers during the school holidays for the rest of this academic year.

Love Barrow Families was awarded £3,814 towards the installation of a new kitchen.

Janice Sharp, assistant director of housing at Barrow Borough Council, said the cash would be funding opportunities. She said: "It is a tremendous boost to have four of our community projects supported by these grants.

“By creating new employment we create opportunity.

“It is no secret Barrow is sadly ranked amongst the most disadvantaged towns in the country.

“As a borough council we are committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities.

“These projects are based in some of our most deprived areas; only by actively supporting people to aspire to more can we inspire longer term positive change for individuals and those communities.

“Through this funding Cumbria Housing Partners really is adding value to the communities they work in and creating better futures.”

Rebecca Rawlings, Senior Officer at Women’s Community, said: “The grant has made a huge difference to the support we are able to offer victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

“We want to send a heartfelt thank you to the funders.

“In the first three months the project has already supported more than 54 women and their children.”