Families on lower incomes and older people in Dumbarton and the Vale received additional support earlier last month with extra funding for lifeline services to cope with the pandemic.

The funding from the Scottish Government’s Supporting Communities Fund has been awarded to two community groups in West Dunbartonshire – Corra Foundation and West Dunbartonshire Community and Volunteering Services.

The Corra Foundation works on improving the lives of individuals and communities experiencing disadvantage in West Dunbartonshire. They received £21,500 which will be shared with various organisations, including Dumbarton West Community Events Group, Food For Thought, West Dunbartonshire Foodshare, Alternatives West Dunbartonshire, Y-Sort-It and Ben View Resource Centre.

Janice O’Connor, Corra Foundation community co-ordinator for Castlehill, West Dunbartonshire, said: “The funds will be helping people cope with being socially isolated, shielding and unable to live their normal day to day lives.

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“The support includes providing food, prescription collections, care packages and phone calls to cope with the impact of Covid-19.”

One of the charities that the organisation is supporting is Food For Thought, who have been providing residents with emergency food aid parcels to those who are shielding.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “We are delighted to have the support of the Corra Foundation.

“It’s been a really challenging time for everyone and without the support of these organisations we just wouldn’t be able to reach the people that we are helping.”