A new initiative supporting residents in their time of need has received a boost of £7,155 from communities together funding.

The Sid Valley Help Scheme was among 34 projects to receive a share of £100,000 from the county and district council run fund.

Sidmouth Town Council submitted the proposal on behalf of the charity to help it run its signposting and information service for one year.

Di Fuller, chairman of the Help steering committee said supporters will continue to fundraiser to ensure the service keeps going both online, drop in sessions and phone calls.

She said: “People do not know where to go to get information they need and they do not know how to look things up and the website can help. They can also call someone and we will try and find services and organisations that will support them.”

The group currently run a weekly session on a Tuesday at Twyford House between 10am and noon and volunteers are available to speak to on 01395 892011. The committee has also organised a drop in event on June 11 to mark the start of carer support week.

The event will be held in Sidmouth Methodist Church between 10.30am and 2pm and focus on the theme of building carer friend communities.

Visitors will have the chance to talk to voluntary groups that support carers and find out where they can get additional support.