Community groups and schools in Merton have taken full advantage of a new grant scheme designed to foster positive community relations.

Grants of up to £5,000 have been awarded to community projects, voluntary groups and schools to help fund events that cross race, faith, culture or age barriers and promote inter-community engagement.

The grants are managed by the Merton Voluntary Service Council on behalf of the Merton Partnership. The grants are funded by Safer Merton – a crime and disorder partnership between the London Borough of Merton, Police and Fire services and the Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust among others.

These one-off grants are being used to bring people together through a shared interest, such as the Discovering Africa through Storytelling and Music, run by the African Culture Promotions group.