RESIDENTS are urged to support local voluntary groups by helping them receive a slice of £28million funding.

Waltham Forest Council is calling on residents to have their in a forthcoming consultation about how the London Councils will allocate the grants.

Organisations working in 59 priority areas, including schemes giving disabled people the opportunity to play sport, helping women affected by domestic violence and working with young people to prevent gun crime, currently receive priority funding from London Councils.

But London Councils want as many people as possible to say how they think the money should be spent in future to ensure services benefit people who most need help.

The consultation will run until the end of January and the council is urging anyone with an interest or working in the voluntary sector to respond.

Cabinet member for communities and housing, Cllr Marie Pye, said: “Voluntary sector organisations provide an invaluable service in supporting our borough’s most vulnerable residents.

“We all know that every penny counts at the moment and this applies to the voluntary sector as much as any other.

“I’d urge any Waltham Forest-based charities working to improve the lives of local people to take advantage of this opportunity to have their say.”

For more information, visit: www.londoncouncils.gov.uk