GRANTS totalling £3,800 have been awarded to two community groups in Swindon by The Midcounties Co-operative Community Fund.

The grants were awarded to the organisation Digital Writes and charity Breaking Free after they successfully applied to the Community Fund, which aims to support good causes locally.

Students at local schools including The Commonwealth School, Lydiard Park Academy and Crowdys Hill will benefit from the funding as Digital Writes provides digital and creative skills such as videogame development.

Keith Phillips from Digital Writes, said: “With the funding from The Midcounties Co-operative we can expand our services to benefit students with special educational needs, providing them with an outlet for their individual enthusiasms.”

Breaking Free, a charity that supports female abuse victims, will use the funding to provide a range of workshops for vulnerable women. The money will also allow them to publish marketing materials to reach more people who can benefit from their services.

Dean Mason, a Leadership Team Ambassador at The Midcounties Co-operative, said: “By awarding these grants to such a range of local groups, we can make a real difference to the whole area, supporting young people and vulnerable members of the community.”