THOSE in the Ulverston area who are community minded are being reminded their neighbourhood forum is not just a source of funding but is also on hand for people to raise any concerns about their town or village.

Neighbourhood development officer for the Ulverston and Low Furness group Dianne Whitehead is trying to inform people that there is much more to the Cumbria County Council group.

She is also trying to encourage more people to get actively involved by attending meetings.

In addition to the grants, the neighborhood forum listens to people's concerns about the village and informs them of the changes that are planned for their area and the services the council provides.

They then look at how the problems can be solved.

Speakers from other community groups are also invited to the quarterly meetings to talk about how groups can work together on various projects.

The latest joint venture to be set up by the neighbourhood forum is a loaning scheme, in which organisations in the Ulverston area, register the equipment that they own.

Groups can then contact the neighbourhood forum if they want to loan pieces of it for a one-off event instead of having to hire it at a huge expense.

This year the group has been awarded £16,500 to award to community groups and following the first round of handouts last month there is £13,400 left.

To qualify for an award, groups have to prove they are non-profit making and that the money will be used for an initiative that will benefit the whole community.

Mrs Whitehead said: "The neighbourhood forum is not just about giving grants, it is also about what goes on in the community.

"People can come along to the meetings and raise any concerns they have about their own town or village and also find out what is happening in their own area.

It would be nice to see more people come to the meetings and take part."

For more information about how to apply for a grant or anyone interested in attending the next meeting Mrs Whitehead can be contacted on 01229 894103.