VEHICLE finance lender Moneybarn of Petersfield has made £50,000 of grant money available to 11 organisations through the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF).

These include Home-Start Butser (East Hants) and Frontline Petersfield.

Moneybarn managing director David Shrimpton said: “Moneybarn is committed to investing in local organisations through our Social Impact Fund.

“This is especially important now barriers to social and financial inclusion have been amplified as the country continues to respond to Covid-19.

“The voluntary sector is experiencing unprecedented demand and funding is consistently stretched –it’s important to us to support small voluntary organisations which provide a much-needed lifeline to communities.”

HIWCF chief executive Jacqui Scott added: “The grants went to projects and activities invested in improving social inclusion in communities – building a sense of belonging is crucial during the ongoing Covid crisis.

“We would like to thank Moneybarn for their continued support through their generous social giving programme, helping to meet the needs of local people and giving them the life opportunities they deserve.”

The Home-Start grant will enable the charity to deliver a ten-week preparation course for up to ten volunteers to work with and support local families with young children going through a critical time in their lives.

Home-Start scheme manager Nicola Winter said “This grant is invaluable, and following the ten-week prep course, volunteers will be matched with a family and offer weekly support.”

Grants have been awarded to:

Frontline Petersfield

Home-Start Butser (East Hants)

INTERIM (East Hants)

Love Outdoors CIC (Gosport)

Moving On (Gosport)

Wetwheels CIC (Gosport)

Marvels and Meltdowns (Gosport)

Disabled Sailors’ Association (Thomas Morley Trust) (Gosport)

Gosport and Fareham MS Society

Making Space (Havant)

Services for Young People (Fareham).