If you are a grassroots community group, grants are available up to the value of £1,500 from The Somerset Fund.

Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) manages the fund and is encouraging applications from smaller groups that run on less than £50,000 per year. The grants will be 'unrestricted', which means they can be used to pay for ongoing running costs. Applications can be made from Monday 6 January, with the deadline for applications, Friday 14 February.

Laura Blake, Development Director at SCF explains: "We created The Somerset Fund in 2018 to bring local businesses and families together to support small, local charities. The Fund offers a simple and rewarding way to give to good causes, with all donations matched by 50% thanks to funding from Somerset County Council. We're hugely grateful to the local businesses and families that have chosen to give through The Somerset Fund over the last year.

"Thanks to our generous donors, we are now able to invite local grassroots charities to apply for funding by Friday 14 February. Alongside receiving funding, groups benefiting from the Fund will have a great opportunity to promote their cause to local businesses and raise awareness of their important work."

The Somerset Fund will support local people of all ages and a wide range of causes, including:

.giving the best start in life to the most disadvantaged children

. growing the life skills of young people

. improving the mental health of people of all ages

. increasing opportunities for better physical health

. supporting people with disabilities and life-limiting illnesses, and their carers

combatting loneliness and isolation

If you are involved in a local, grassroots community project and would like to find out more about how to apply for funding, please visit: www.somersetcf.org.uk/somersetfund or call Somerset Community Foundation on: 01749 344949.