COMMUNITY projects across Warrington received more than £135,000 of National Lottery funding in the past month.

The funding was shared between nine projects and charities across the town, all of which are doing their bit to help residents during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Armed Forces Community Support Hub, based on Sankey Street was given £9,500 to establish a range of online activities and a buddy system to support veterans during the coronavirus pandemic.

Activities will include online bingo, coffee mornings, mindfulness sessions - encouraging those who are most isolated to get online and helping those who are at high risk with shopping and essential tasks.

St Joseph's Family Centre in the town centre, which provides a variety of family support services, from counselling to parenting and welfare courses, received £50,432 to enable the group to continue to provide much needed remote support, ensuring the IT system can keep up with the added demand.

The John Holt Cancer Foundation aims to support patients with cancer, or family members who are shielding or in isolation themselves and offer any support they need while observing the current restrictions.

The £9,942 funding will be used to offer a dedicated support line, signposting and group chats as well as Tai Chi and meditation sessions on social media. A helpline for bereavement support will also be set up.

MacIntyre Care was granted £2,250 to buy iPads for people with learning disabilities or autism to stay in touch with their families whilst shielding, with the aim of reducing anxiety and isolation.

St Rocco's Hospice - £8,987 - The funding will be used

Staff and volunteers at St Rocco’s Hospice can buy laptops and mobile phones with their £8,987 grant so that hose who continue to deliver daily care in the community to high risk individuals can record patient notes remotely.

Warrington Youth Club was given £9,811 to maintain contact and support for children and young people, especially those identified as vulnerable.

During lockdown, youth workers and volunteers will provide supportive phone calls to the growing list of vulnerable children to boost children’s wellbeing and increase safeguarding through online art and activity sessions and deliver accessible online emotional wellbeing support.

St Margaret's Community Partnership in Latchford also received £9,100 while Steps Charity Worldwide got £10,000 and Warrington Voluntary Action received £26,670.