THE work club at the Ockment Centre and Lewdown Cricket Club are among the organisations to benefit from the latest round of grants by Okehampton United Charity and Okehampton Educational Foundation.

The work club helps people get back into work by helping them write CVs, search and apply for jobs online, and rebuild confidence through improving interview and telephone techniques, socialising and moral support.

The club was key in helping people find work after the closure of Polestar and Robert Wiseman Dairies, having been set up in the wake of them. It has received a grant of £8,866 from the charity to run for a further year.

Lewdown Cricket Club received £875 to support youth cricket in Okehampton. A national level sporting achievement grant was awarded to support a local person who plays table tennis, while a £700 hardship grant was agreed to support a person in need.

The trustees of Okehampton United Charity agreed the grants at a meeting on September 25 where they received a presentation from Okehampton Golf Club, which recently received a grant from the OUC towards a new club gym. Trustees agreed to arrange further meetings with representatives of the golf club and the Ockment Centre to discuss possible future funding.

Trustees of Okehampton Educational Foundation noted that Okehampton College's current allocation was £47,379 and Okehampton Primary's allocation was £10,385. The trustees also noted 72 applications for post-16 individual grants for the 2013/14 academic year.

Trustees awarded 28 bursaries totalling £12,600 to assist with the costs of course fees, equipment, tools, clothing, books and travelling to pursue education or training courses relating to the preparation for a professional trade, employment or for entry to higher education.

Applicants were also awarded bursaries to participate in vocational training, further education, professional or apprentice training.

Trustees awarded 44 scholarships totalling £33,000 to support individuals attending university or higher educational college for a level 4 (FHEQ) or above, qualification.

The trustees noted the application process for post 16 educational grants would remain open until May 31 2014.

Application forms for academic grants and more information are available on http://www.okehamptoncharities.org.uk">www.okehamptoncharities.org.uk