A HAMPSHIRE group has been awarded a hefty grant to support outreach work.

Live Theatre Winchester Trust applied for a grant of £30,000 so it could support community activity and outreach programmes to engage with a wider diversity of Hampshire residents.

Hampshire County Council’s member for culture, recreation and countryside Cllr Andrew Gibson approved the application earlier this week.

These activities, the trust says, will “support people’s empathy and awareness of others in the community and will be beneficial to their health and wellbeing”.

Councillor Gibson said: “The grants we award make a positive difference to organisations providing cultural and community activities for residents of all ages and backgrounds.

“A major strength of the Theatre Royal, is that through fun and interactive arts and theatre, people can meet new friends, learn new skills and be active in local neighbourhoods - all of which contributes to good mental health and wellbeing.

"The Theatre’s outreach work ensures that those who are at risk of social isolation are not forgotten, but integrated into positive, inclusive activities at the heart of their communities.”

The total costs of the projects total £60,000 – the organisation has already secured an additional £30,000 of funding from Winchester City Council.

The application was supported by local councillors, including Cllr Jan Warwick, Cllr Martin Tod, and Cllr Dominic Hiscock.