SEVERAL Southampton groups have received a cash boost from a local resident-led Lottery project.

SO18 Big Local has given out £10,000 of small grants to voluntary organisations and schools to help make a difference in Harefield, Townhill Park and Midanbury.

Woodlands Community College in Harefield has been given some money to help support a gardening club and wildlife area for pupils.

Donations Local mental health charity Solent Mind has been given funding to organise awareness roadshows in the area, while Rape Crisis has also received a grant to support its work with vulnerable young people.

Building firm Lovell has also helped SO18 by donating another £4,000 to the small grant fund, which was awarded to Townhill Junior School and Bitterne Community Life.

A further £10,000 is available in a second round of small grants, and applications can be submitted until February 14 via the website SO18BigLocal.org.uk.

SO18 Big Local chairman Helen Pain said: “Being on the small grants panel was really worthwhile, because we were able to decide who could best help us make a real difference to our area.”

‘Exciting’ Louise Evans from Southampton Voluntary Services added: “It’s so exciting to be part of helping local people to deliver their small grant programme after being with them through all of their hard work to collect evidence of what was needed.”

Any businesses who would like to support the project by giving donations to help improve the area should contact Louise via l.evans@southamptonvs.org.uk.

SO18 Big Local is one of 150 such groups set up across England which are run by the Local Trust on behalf of Big Lottery.