More than 20 voluntary and community groups that help vulnerable people have been given grants of up to £5,000 by the district council.

The local authority has issued 22 grants as part of its Community Grants Fund, aimed at funding projects and activities which benefit the district.

Among those issued is an award of £1,750 to the Talking Newspaper, a weekly audio programme sent out free of charge to people who have limited sight, to expand its services to residents.

The funding will enable more listeners to contribute to weekly programmes and will also help launch ‘Blind Spot’ meetings in local cafes.

St Albans Mencap is to receive £3,888 for its Buy, Cook and Eat project.

This will contribute to the cost of courses in basic cooking skills, helping around 40 vulnerable adults with learning disability, autism or mental health issues.

The YMCA, West and Central Herts, will receive £4,993 to help young people aged 13 to 17 in Cunningham, St Albans, enter the 2016 Youth Bike competition. The teenagers will build a motor bike during weekly sessions and work towards gaining a Youth Achievement Award by writing reports, taking photos and carrying out practical tasks.

Applications were received from community organisations that have been helped before as well as groups which had not been funded previously.

Councillor Beric Read, portfolio holder for community engagement, said: “These grants are going towards a wide range of projects and reach out to the young, the old, the disabled and many others.”

A full list of projects can be found here.