VOLUNTARY organisations across the East of England received �2.1 million of help last year as they coped with the recession.The government gave out the unprecedented amount to help the region's groups provide vital local services, through the action plan Real Help for Communities.

VOLUNTARY organisations across the East of England received �2.1 million of help last year as they coped with the recession.

The government gave out the unprecedented amount to help the region's groups provide vital local services, through the action plan Real Help for Communities. And one organisation to benefit in Lowestoft was St Johns Housing Trust.

The trust - which has been established for more than 30 years and provides accommodation, support and resettlement services for people who are homeless and often vulnerable - was awarded a total of �123,255.

Some of this money was used on the trust's Bridge View drop in centre, in Commercial Road.

Patrick Moir, development manager at St Johns Housing, said: 'It helped us cope with the recession, which had made it more difficult to get funding.'

Since the launch of the scheme hundreds of charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises across the country have received financial support through recession focused grants, loans and bursaries.

Angela Smith, minister for the third sector, said: 'I am delighted that one year on since we announced our action plan Real Help for Communities, we have provided �2.1 million to help 70 charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises in the East of England through some really tough economic times. Getting the money to them quickly was vital. It enabled them to deliver much needed support to people in their communities facing difficulties.'

Other organisations to receive funding included Norwich's Age Concern Norfolk, Mobilise Organisation, Community Music East and Women's Employment, Enterprise and Training Unit (WEETU).

Last week's Journal included the wrong telephone number for Bridge View. For more information on the centre please call 01502 513974.