Voluntary and community sector organisations are being offered the chance to apply for funding to support projects that benefit Hackney residents.

Funding of £1,000-5,000 is available in the latest round of small grants from the Hackney Voluntary and Community Sector Grants programme, for projects running from 1 October 2014 to 31 March 2015.

Successful applications must demonstrate how the project will help to improve the lives of residents by focusing on one of the following themes: reducing poverty, raising aspirations, promoting healthy living, making the borough safer, promoting mixed communities, or increasing community pride.

One group who previously benefited from a £4,900 grant was Mimbre, a theatre company based in Dalston. Mimbre ran a healthy living programme that used high-quality acrobatics, dance and performance to promote healthy living and wellbeing for young people and their families.

Artistic Director, Lina Johansson, said: "This year more than 100 young people have benefited from the healthy living programme which has taught them new skills, increased their level of physical activity and their confidence as well as enabling them to make new friends.

“The funding also enabled us to run a family workshop, which brought families together to try out some exciting new activities. The event gave the young people the chance to teach their friends and families the new acrobatic and dance skills they learnt, and that in turn helped to increase their communication skills and confidence”.

Applications are being accepted until midday on 23 May. See guidance and information on how to apply.