VOLUNTARY and community groups throughout Bolton are being offered the chance to tap into council cash.

Small grants for groups working alongside social services are available from Bolton Council.

Social services provide the grants as part of their overall strategic aims and objectives.

To apply for cash:

The group must provide a personal social service or a service to people who are already receiving such a service;

The service must benefit the people of Bolton directly;

Bolton based groups receive priority, although some groups providing specialist services may be based outside Bolton;

Grants are made on annual basis and groups which have received grants over a number of years will need to reapply.

"The grants are a valuable means for the council to help out voluntary and community groups," said Cllr Ken Peters, social services committee chairman.

"Any group meeting the criteria can apply and we are pleased to have been able to support a wide range of organisations and projects in the past."

Previous grants have been used to help small groups meet running costs such as postage, phone calls, hire of meeting rooms or to help them buy items of equipment.

Application forms and more details are available from Bob Bradley, Provider Development Officer, Social Services Dept, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton, BL1 1SA. Or call 522311 ext 7226.

The closing date for applications is Monday, June 3, and they will be considered by a social services special sub committee in July.

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