Community groups have been given help to find the funding they need at an event in Guiseley.

A small grants funding fair at the town’s Guides headquarters attracted groups from across West Leeds to hear about help available from the Big Lottery Fund, Leeds Community Foundation and Voluntary Action Leeds.

Two organisations which have benefitted from funding were on hand at the event to discuss their own experiences.

Simon Toyne from Aireborough Extended Services explained how the Anti-Social Positive Involvement and Re-engagement (ASPIRE) project has changed the lives of young people in the community thanks to a grant of £7,100.

Pudsey-based Get Cooking has received thousands of pounds of Big Lottery funding to run inclusive cooking lessons for socially isolated people in the community.

Stuart Andrew MP who hosted the event said: “It is good to see the community working together and comparing experience of accessing funding. It’s has really opened my eyes to the opportunities and potential out there and will hopefully lead to many more successful projects.”

The Big Lottery Fund has a number of programmes including Reaching Communities and Awards for All. Both programmes are looking for projects that create stronger, healthier and active people and communities, give people better chances in life and help improve rural and urban environments. Awards for All has funding available from £300 to £10,000 for projects that can be completed within a year. Reaching Communities will fund projects between £10,001 and £500,000 for up to five years.

Leeds Community Foundation brings together local philanthropists - who want to give money to support their communities - with local organisations who need funding and other resources.

Voluntary Action Leeds (VAL ) supports the voluntary sector in Leeds providing support to groups to help them set up and run effectively.

Go to www.biglotteryfund.org.uk, www.val.org.uk, or www.leedscf.org.uk for further information.