COMMUNITY groups in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are celebrating today after receiving grants worth more than £3.5 million.

The 27 awards were announced by The Community Fund for groups across the south-east and total £3,659,456.

Among organisations benefiting are the Chinese Association of Southampton and the New Forest Voluntary Service Council.

A grant of £59,590 has been awarded to the Chinese Association of Southampton for a project to extend and develop services aimed at older people and their carers in the city's Chinese community.

The services include information and advice, drop-in sessions, a befriending service and support for victims of crime.

Over three years the grant will fully fund the recruitment and salary costs for a part-time development worker, rent, running expenses, production of information, training and travel.

Community Fund regional manager Dorothy Buckrell, said: "We are pleased to support this project which is meeting the particular needs of older people from the Chinese community, providing a service that is sensitive to their language and culture."

New Forest Voluntary Service Council has been awarded £131,536 for a project to provide a mobile handy-man service to carry out simple repairs in the homes of older and vulnerable people and those on income support.

The money will contribute towards the salary and recruitment costs of a part-time technician, administrator and manager over a three-year period.

It will also contribute towards rent, running expenses, training, travel and line management costs.

On the Isle of Wight, the First Brighstone Sea Scout Group has received £179,542 to replace a 150-year- old wooden scout hut with a purpose-built brick hit for use by Scouts and Guides.

The new building will also be made available to local community groups as a seasonal hostel in association with the Youth Hostel Association.

Newport's Royal National Institu-tion for Deaf People has been awarded £131,188 to continue and develop its Sound Advice volunteering project, providing help and advice about hearing aids and equipment.

To find out more about applying to the Community Fund visit the website at www.community-fund.org.ukMill