Five charities helping residents across the borough have been honoured with grants between £2,500 and £4,300.

Aidexcel Support Services, Friends of Barnet Environment Centre, Granville Residents’ Association, The Hope of Childs Hill and Whetstone Stray Allottees Association were the successful charities, each planning to use the grants for causes in the spring.

The annual grants were given by Barnet Giving, an initiative of charities Inclusion Barnet and CommUNITY Barnet.

Inclusion Barnet chief executive Caroline Collier said: “Working in partnership, we are committed to strengthening local links to help people feel more connected to their community.”

Ms Collier also said that the Barnet Giving panel, which includes residents, focused on projects helping people to overcome social isolation, develop skills to get into work, succeed in education and improve neighbourhoods and green spaces.

The projects being funded include Aidexcel Support Services’ “Incredible Years” parenting workshop for those whose children have experienced trauma or loss, and Whetstone Stray Allottees Association’s community project to extend their community gardening project for people with disabilities.