TEN Halton and Merseyside community groups have won a share of £110,000 to help make their neighbourhoods cleaner and greener.

The cash boost will see volunteers help reduce household waste, encourage recycling and resource re-use and prevent carbon emissions.

The money comes from the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority and Veolia Community Fund 2016/17.

Projects funded include cookery clubs, encouraging children to turn scrap into arts and crafts and showing people how to revitalise unwanted furniture and textiles.

Chairman of Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority Cllr Graham Morgan, said: “Giving groups the opportunity to get involved in looking after their environment can help us appreciate items as valuable resources rather than something which otherwise might be just thrown away.”

Halton Play Council has been awarded £8,000 for its reuse scrapstore and children’s play resource centre.

Manager Joyce Reilly said: “We are delighted to have received this grant to enable us to support the local community and businesses with their recycling.

“We are targeting items that end up in landfill, especially textiles, bedding, fabrics, plastic food trays, yoghurt pots and toys.”

Volunteers will be trained in the collection, repair and retail of these reusable resources.

The Children’s Food Trust has received £25,000 to set up 20 
Mersey Waste Muncher clubs targeting young adults aged 16 to 25.

A two-day course will be held to arm club leaders with the skills and support needed to establish cookery clubs that focus on reducing food waste. Clubs will receive funding, training and printed resources to teach others how to change their food waste behaviour.

Faiths4Change Turning the Tables Merseyside and Halton was awarded £25,000 to deliver a series of learning workshops to show people how to revitalise unwanted furniture and textiles.

This project will contribute to an interactive artwork exhibition in Liverpool next spring.

Project Up in Widnes, which teaches young unemployed people how to restore unwanted items of furniture has benefitted from the community fund in the past.

Roadshow events have taught residents how to transform their own furniture instead of throwing it away.