Freebridge Community Housing has donated £5,000 to seven community groups across West Norfolk.

Each year the social landlord invites charities and community groups to apply for up to £1,000 for projects that have will have a positive impact on health and wellbeing, the environment, support residents or bring communities together.

As always the fund received a high number of deserving applications, with the final selection being made by a judging panel comprised of Freebridge tenants and employees.

Groups who received funding spent an enjoyable lunch at Providence Street Placeshaping Community Centre with their fellow recipients, the judging panel, Freebridge chairman Ray Johnson, and Freebridge director of housing Robert Clarke.

This year's recipients were:

Solace End of Life Support, £500 to support operational costs and to train more volunteers to help with an increasing number of clients.

West Norfolk Mind, £450 to buy a Tier 2 Spice Time Credits Membership.

West Norfolk Riding for the Disabled Association, £550 to help provide riding lessons for children, young people and adults with physical and learning disabilities.

South West Norfolk Youth Opportunities Project (SWAN), £1000 to deliver training courses for young people.

West Norfolk Befriending, £1,000 towards volunteer expenses and office costs.

The Purfleet Trust, £1,000 to run a winter night shelter on Friday and Saturday nights between October and March.

4transform, £500 to help fund activities of a new group, who are planning to run and publicise craft, art and upcycling sessions, for women experiencing domestic abuse.

Jackie Westrop, trustee of the SWAN project, said: 'We are able to provide more help and support to young people because of grants like the one we have had from Freebridge.'

Robert Clarke, Director of Housing at Freebridge, said: 'The Freebridge Community Fund is a fantastic opportunity for us to donate much needed funds directly to richly deserving charities and community groups in our region. The number of applications we received only serves to highlight the fantastic work that is done by so many those groups.'