THREE Hampshire community organisations are celebrating after they were rewarded lottery grants totalling more than £26,000.

The cash boost has come from the National Lottery's Awards for All Programme and will help youngsters improve their self-confidence through workshops; single fathers develop positive relationships with their children and help provide a free drama course to disabled and long-term unemployed people.

The Saints Foundation were given £10,000 from the programme, which will be used to deliver a series of vocal, photography and video workshops for young people in Southampton to help them improve confidence, self esteem and employability.

Also benefitting from the cash windfall was the Southampton Community Family Trust, who were given a grant of £7,900 which will be used for a parenting course for fathers, particularly those who are single or absent parents to help them learn effective discipline and role modelling to help build a good relationship with their children.

While Eastleigh MenCap charity which helps those with learning disabilities and unemployment, were given £8,485, which will be spent by providing funding for a 12- week drama course for young people in the area with disabilities or who have been out of work for three months.