HAMPSHIRE community groups are to benefit from more than £180,000 funding.

More than 30 dance, theatre, music and community groups have received grants in support of their projects.

The news was announced by Cllr Andrew Gibson, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for culture, recreation and countryside.

Mr Gibson said: “The grants for these organisations will enable them to continue offering projects and much loved interactive arts events and activities at the heart of the communities, which are enjoyed by so many people.

“At the same time, the capital funding will enable the buildings to be fit for purpose, modern and efficient, long into the future.”

Funding will also help organisations reach and engage with harder to access groups and support the County Council’s work in protecting the economic, cultural and social wellbeing of all Hampshire residents.

Among the winners seven institutions based in Winchester and the surrounding area, including Integr8 Movement that will use £3,000 to support affordable weekly classes in various styles of dance for young people from disadvantaged communities and Winchester Chamber Music Festival which will use £2,500 to support a four-day festival in April 2017, in celebration of its tenth anniversary.

The Lymington Community Association and Youth and Families Matter based in Totton will also benefit from the grants.

Youth and Families Matter has indeed been awarded 2,750 to support weekly community breakfast and coffee morning sessions for vulnerable families and socially isolated members of the community.

Kelly Price, project leader for Youth and Families Matter said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this grant from Hampshire County Council. This money will help us fund coffee morning, one of our weekly support groups, which along with our community breakfast project, aims to build community, confidence and independence.

“Coffee morning helps people to socialise, make new friends and build peer support all within a supported environment. This grant will ensure that this can continue to happen.”

During the coffee morning sessions participants will also have the opportunity to receive training in parental skills, budgeting and nutrition, with the objective of improving mental and physical wellbeing.

Local winners:

Bassline Circus – Winchester- £3,000 to engage new audiences

Colden Common Community Association - £9,700 towards improving the centre

Integr8 Movement – Winchester- £3,000 to support affordable weekly classes in various styles of dance for young people from disadvantaged communities

South Wonston Village Hall - £2,980 to repair the roof and to prevent deterioration of the building

Southwick and Widley D-Day Memorial Hall - £13,520 to replace wooden windows and doors

Waltham Chase Village Hall Committee - £6,500 for the replacement of old gas heaters

Winchester Chamber Music Festival - £2,500 to support festival in April 2017

Elson Junior School -Gosport- £2,120 for an ecology project

Gosport Community Safety Partnership - £3,000 to support activity sessions

Loud and Proud – Gosport- £2,390 to deliver intergenerational sessions for older people in residential homes

Lymington Community Association - £21,990 to install double glazed windows at the Robert Hole Complex.

Youth and Families Matter – Totton- £2,750 to support weekly community breakfast and coffee morning sessions