RECIPIENTS of a community fund to help support charities and not-for-profit organisations have been announced.

The Newhaven Enterprise Zone - a collaboration between the South East Local Enterprise Partnership and Lewes District Council - has revealed the Newhaven EZ Community Fund winners, who have received a share of an annual pot worth £25,000.

This year's successful projects all demonstrated how they bring innovation into the community, address inequality, raise aspirations and develop opportunities for people in Newhaven to be more actively engaged.

The Newhaven EZ Community Fund is a community grants scheme set up by Newhaven Enterprise Zone and managed by the Sussex Community Foundation.

Corinne Day, programme director at Newhaven Enterprise Zone, said: "The Newhaven EZ Community Fund is now in its third year and is a real success story.

"It is great to see increased awareness and take-up of this funding, and to hear the many stories of how it has encouraged active participation in Newhaven – in sports, the arts and celebration of the town's history and culture."

The recipients include Hillcrest Community Partnership, a local charity run providing a community centre for local people, which received £7,000 for its multi-space community centre. The Newhaven Gig Rowing Club was given £5,000.

Nippers secured £3,000, which will help it continue to provide out-of-school play and forest school activities for children. Newhaven Open Call - an artist-led initiative that invites people to make art and share experiences with other people was given £5,000.

Helen Turner, one of the tutors at the Newhaven Open Call, said: "It is fantastic to have support through the Newhaven EZ Community fund, and there is no doubt that it has contributed a great deal to those living in our communities.

"For our students, these art classes give hope and an outlet into being in the world."

The last organisation to receive funding was LYT Productions, which helps local events and production. It was given £5,000. The money will help the community engagement phase of their project, starting workshops with artists in collaboration with school and community groups.