TOWN charities are celebrating after they scooped more than £150,000 in grants.

Five worthy causes jumped for joy as they received the news of the mammoth grants gifted by the People’s Health Trust.

Domestic abuse charity Hometruths, The Harbour Project for Swindon Refugees and Asylum Seekers, the Park South and Walcot Community Centre, Swindon Advocacy Movement and Swindon Christian Community Projects were awarded funding enabling the charities to continue to deliver vital services in the town.

The Broad Street-based Harbour Project helps those fleeing from war zones or troubled countries. It runs a series of programmes designed to integrate people into the community and received a £12,440 grant.

As a registered charity the Harbour Project primarily relies upon funding from Swindon Borough Council and the Big Lottery and Annie Vickers from the charity said the funding would enable The Harbour Project to widen its reach into the community.

“Year on year we are seeing more and more people who are in need of our services. This money will be used to fund equipment for our art and bake off themed cookery classes which helps people come together and helps with their confidence," she said.

“Asylum seekers and refuges are given help when they arrive but getting them to make friends, cook together, draw together; it’s giving them that self confidence and that friendship, that nourishment in the community which they may not get otherwise.”

Park South and Walcot Community Centre also have cause for celebration with £29,370 due to be awarded to the centre over a two year period.

The centre provides an activity space for those who may live in isolation, and runs yoga classes, bingo and lunch clubs.

Ram Thiagarajah, chair of the centre’s trustees, said the timing of the grant for the community hub was ideal.

“We’re working in a deprived area and the classes we offer here really are a lifeline to the community. I’m so delighted to receive this vital funding which will enable us to continue the work that we do here," he said.

"The centre has become very popular in the community and it’s great news for us."

The Swindon Advocacy Movement (SAM) gets £37,098. The charity, which helps those with learning disabilities make new friends, plan to set up an internet group and increase their leisure activities in the town.

Swindon Christian Community Projects, which runs the Restore shop receives £41,503 which will enable expansion of its existing cafe and to run woodwork training, where participants will make furniture to sell in the shop.

Hometruths in Commercial Road was given £39,464 and will use the money to extend its support services for women aged 16 and over who are experiencing domestic violence

The money awarded was raised by community interest company HealthTotal through the Health Lottery. Grants are then awarded by the People’s Health Trust through Active Communities which invests in people and groups who have ideas to better their communities

In total, HealthTotal CIC has raised £1,345,283 for community causes in Swindon and Gloucestershire.