A SERIES of grassroots groups have received a big cash boost in a £37,000 cash injection from Oak Tree Housing.

The association has handed out cash to 11 health, wellbeing and youth initiatives through its Our Community Our Future Fund.

The projects cover Branchton, Bow Farm, Fancy Farm, Grieve Road and Pennyfern.

People who live or work in the neighbourhoods were asked to decide how the grant money should be distributed.

Nick Jardine, chief executive of Oak Tree, said: “Congratulations to all our successful applicants who have received grants to progress their inspiring initiatives.

“It has been great to see the community respond so positively to this opportunity and get directly involved in the decision-making process, choosing what’s most important to them and helping these fantastic ideas come alive in the weeks and months ahead.”

Inverclyde Heartstart, Mind Mosaic, Lady Alice Family Support Homework Club, Tail o' The Bank Credit Union, Little Trailblazers and Branchton Ocean Youth Trust were among the groups to benefit.

Little Trailblazers is a parent and toddler group run by a local mum about life with her autistic son and she will use the money to purchase a selection of sensory items for the children she works with.

People who cast a vote at the recent fun day were entered into a free prize draw and the lucky winner was Kerri Baxter, of Gateside Gardens who won a 49 inch smart TV.

The Oak Tree programme has been backed by a grant from the Scottish Government’s Community Choices Fund.

Pictured are Elaine Wroe, Mind Mosaic, trainers Linda McDowell and Craig MacPherson of Inverclyde Heartstart, and front are Anne Culley of Oak Tree Housing, Janice Graham, treasurer with Tail o' the Bank Credit Union, Glen Miller, co-ordinator with Inverclyde Heartstart, and Willie Wilson, manager of Branchton Community Centre. Other images, inset, show kids from Lady Alice Homework Club and TV winner Kerri with Mark White, one of the CVS Inverclyde team.