Seven community groups have received a share of more than £16,000 from a west Oxfordshire housing provider.

Cottsway Housing, the area's largest affordable housing provider, awarded the funds from its Community Fund during the first half of this financial year.

The fund, which has £30,000 set aside for this year, supports the work of people, charities, and voluntary groups.

Vicki Paxford, communities manager at Cottsway, said: “We’re delighted that we can continue to make a real difference to the communities where we work and to our customers’ futures.

"We still have funding available for this year so I’d encourage anyone who could benefit to get in touch.”

The latest projects to receive grants include Carterton Community College, which received £863 to run a summer holiday club for children aged five to 14.

The club, aimed at those eligible for free school meals, in care, or refugees in Carterton and the surrounding area, offered activities to improve communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience.

Changing Life, a community interest company, received £2,500 to support its 'Acceptance + Belief + Choice = Change' programme, which helps women who are unemployed or on a low income and have experienced trauma to heal and rebuild their lives through workshops and one-on-one mentoring.

Oxfordshire Play Association received the same amount to help provide a series of play and activity days for children and their families across West Oxfordshire during the summer.

These events were free to attend and also provided information on services and activities available in the local and wider area.

Home-Start Oxford was given £2,500 to support their wellbeing parent and toddler groups in Witney, which aim to reduce loneliness and isolation, build confidence, and offer children the chance to interact with their peers.

The Northmoor Community Trust received £2,500 to go towards regenerating the former Northmoor play area and the land behind the village hall into a community gathering space.

This includes new play equipment, high benches for those with mobility issues, and an area for wildlife and nature.

The Thomas Gifford Trust was awarded £2,345 to help fund a dedicated youth worker to organise a weekly youth club in Charlbury, while Yellow Submarine received £2,420 to support its Wednesday Night Club in Witney for adults with learning difficulties.

The Community Fund also supports Cottsway customers who want to learn new skills and increase their job prospects.

Grants of up to £250 are available to help pay for training and coaching courses, qualifications, and learning support materials.

So far this year, two customers have benefited from this support, furthering their career prospects.