SIX local organisations have been given a cash boost thanks to the Hexham Courant Charitable Trust.

All together, £3,050 has been handed out to good causes through the trust.

Receiving the largest amount, Hexham-based organisation Gateway into the Community received £1,000 for its new project.

The organisation supports people who are disadvantaged due to a learning disability and may face social isolation. The Create and Chatter project will use creative art to allow those who might have limited vocal capacity to express themselves.

Julia Ferguson, life chances manager, who will be involved with the new project, said: “We were thrilled to receive the grant, which will help us set up the Create and Chatter group. It hasn’t started yet but we have run another therapeutic art course.

“Everything we do depends on fundraising and getting funds together to be able to deliver projects, so it’s very helpful to receive this grant to help us go forward with the project.”

The 1st Hexham Scout Group also received a grant. The £500 will go towards a building extension to provide another meeting room, which will also be available for hire to the wider community.

Allendale Village Hall and Recreation Ground received £500 for a new projection screen for its film club.

And £200 was awarded to Hexham Decorative and Fine Arts Society for its Young Arts Programme, while Slaley Commemoration Hall received £350 to replace its badminton net posts.

A further £500 was awarded to The Torch Centre in Hexham, which offers facilities for all kinds of activities and caters especially for disabled people.