The Didcot Powerhouse Fund has announced it will issue 21 grants totalling £108,000 to local charities and community groups.

Of these grants, 10 are awarded to those that are newcomers to Powerhouse's initiative.

Since its launch a little over two years ago, Powerhouse has provided 56 grants summing up to £283,000 through the generosity of local donors, consisting of companies, individuals and community fundraising efforts.

Under the philanthropic model of the Powerhouse, every grant ensures that at least 90 per cent of its beneficiaries are within the Didcot vicinity and its rural outlining settlements, stretching from Culham in the North to Blewbury in the South.

This area incorporates the science campuses of Harwell, Culham and Milton Park.

The 10 new charity beneficiaries will channel vital resources to the Didcot environs.

For example, Reducing the Risk plans to cultivate a network support system for victims of domestic abuse, concentrating on the elderly and those living in more rural areas.

Further support will be given to My Life My Choice, a charity that gives adults with learning difficulties more control over their lives.

Capitalising on the significance of science in the area, two new charities aim to introduce more science to children.

Bright Sparks Science will operate science workshops in year six primary schools, whilst Digit<all> will launch coding for climate workshops for 9-13 year olds in schools or the Didcot Library, including 60 programmable micro:bit devices.

Oxford Mail: Since its launch a little over two years ago, Powerhouse has provided 56 grants summing up to

The chair of The Didcot Powerhouse Fund, Elizabeth Paris said: "I would like to congratulate all our grant recipients in 2024.

"With 38 applications this year the Grants Panel had a difficult choice, but these 21 charities demonstrated both an understanding and a commitment to our local community.

"What was especially pleasing was to see previous grant recipients now working together in partnership, and our aspiration for Powerhouse in 2024 is to create more opportunities for Powerhouse grant recipients to collaborate."

Further demonstrating positive impact on the community, grants were awarded to Didcot Baby Monday and The Cornermen, two organisations that had previously benefited from Powerhouse funding who will continue to support babies and their families and aid in the prevention of male suicide respectively.

MP for Wantage and Didcot, David Johnston said: "Once again, I am delighted to see that the Powerhouse grant funding will go where it can achieve maximum community impact.

"A huge thank you to all the donors and fundraisers who contributed towards the fund."

For more information, and to read the full list of grant recipients, visit The Didcot Powerhouse Fund website.