THREE community projects have been granted funding to set up or expand the services they offer in the Leigh area.

Projects from across the borough applied for a slice of a £2 million pie released by Wigan Council from its reserves to tackle serious social issues.

Higher Folds Community Centre, Compassion in Action and Trust in Leigh have been granted the funds to carry out their proposals.

David Rainford, centre manager for Higher Folds, said: “Our aim to be the hub of community life on the Higher Folds estate will fill the present gaps in the availability of health, sporting and social support activities, basic life and work skills like numeracy, literacy and IT skills which contribute to low levels of confidence and isolation.

“Our activities and services will help to reduce the demand on local public services and provide positive activities for young people.”

The centre aims to use the money to offer new models of adult social care and support people and families to cope with multiple difficulties including domestic abuse and youth offending.

Compassion in Action has offices in Lowton, Leigh and Atherton and will use the money to expand the opportunities it provides for individuals who are marginalised or vulnerable in the community to escape from isolation and interact with others.

Trust in Leigh will constitute a new service which will help charitable organisations with various aspects including funding applications and business plans and will be launched in January.

Trust chair Trevor Barton said: “We want to help organisations and the people that live in Leigh to be bigger, better and more stable by supporting them.

“We hope to prevent people getting into trouble by helping existing organisations expand.

“We were planning on setting up the trust but the funding has allowed us to get it up and running quicker and to employ members of dedicated staff.”