MORE than a hundred community groups have been awarded a share of £2.5 million to make the borough a better place.

The Turnpike Centre in Leigh has been given £217,512 to develop cultural opportunities in the community from Wigan Council’s Deal for Communities Investment Fund.

More than £117,000 has gone to the Chapter One Tea Rooms at Hindley Library to offer a range of workshops and community services and £50,000 will be used by the Green Grass Centre in Atherton to launch an Incredible Edible project.

There are 106 other community groups that have been successful with their funding bids this year, receiving between £400 and £400,000.

This latest round of funding brings the total investment in community projects to a record £7.5 million since 2013.

From helping to get people into work to improving their health and reducing social isolation, the cash fund has provided a lifeline to hundreds of residents since it was introduced.

Chapter One Tea Rooms owner Sam Broxton said: “When I found out we had been successful with our application I couldn’t hold my tears in.

“I feel so passionately about our CRISP Communities project and I can’t wait to continue to grow our vision to create a community hub in the heart of Hindley.

“We are so proud of how far we have come, especially how much Chapter One Tea Rooms has grown.

“We want to connect people and to work with them to learn, share and create what we hope to be a hub of passion and enthusiasm.

“With the amazing support from The Deal we can now make that happen and make a real difference in our community.

“Watch this space."

The funding is all part of The Deal, an informal agreement between the council and everyone who lives or works in the borough to join together to improve it.

Lynn Hayes, from Atherton’s Green Grass Centre, said: “We are so thrilled to get funding to be able to start the Growing Together project for everyone.

“It is a fabulous project and will enable lots of people to get involved, especially looking to help social isolation.

“It is not just the money from The Deal, all the support from The Deal team is amazing.”

Cllr Chris Ready, cabinet member for communities at the council, said: “There is some fantastic work being carried out by voluntary groups and organisations in the borough.

“We are so proud to be bucking the trend and investing in these innovative, exciting projects that will really make a difference to people.”