VOLUNTARY organisations in the east of England, including one that supports homeless people in Lowestoft, have received grant offers worth between �50,000 and �250,000 to help them provide vital services to their communities.

VOLUNTARY organisations in the east of England, including one that supports homeless people in Lowestoft, have received grant offers worth between �50,000 and �250,000 to help them provide vital services to their communities.

The grants from The Hardship Fund administered by the Community Development Foundation include �123,255 for St Johns Housing Trust in Lowestoft.

Announcing the list of beneficiaries, Angela Smith, Minister for the Third Sector, said: 'I am delighted to be able to announce the first seven organisations in the East of England to receive a grant offer from the Government's Hardship Fund. The grants, which range from �50,000 to �250,000, provide real help to organisations in England delivering front line services to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society. I encourage other organisations to apply as the Hardship Fund is still open for applications.'

Barbara Follett, Regional Minister for the East of England, said: 'When purse strings are being tightened, it is so important that we protect those in our society who are most in need. The seven organisations in our Region that have secured this funding are to be congratulated, both for getting these grants and for the vital work they are doing in communities across the East of England.

'Our voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises provide an absolutely invaluable to people in the Eastern Region. I hope that many more of them will apply to the Hardship Fund in the future.'

The �16.7 million Hardship Fund was announced by the Chancellor in his Budget in April 2009 to help voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises that are suffering financial hardship that is impacting on their ability to deliver vital services in health and social care, housing support, education and training, and information, advice and guidance.