Nearly £600,000 was handed out to charities that help those in need, at a meeting of Redbridge Council’s cabinet.

Groups benefiting included the Redbridge Disability Consortium (RDC) which will recieve £154,000 and £71,300 to Redbridge Citizens Advice Bureau.

The sums were approved in a meeting in Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford, last week.

The grants are awarded to voluntary and community groups in Redbridge for the financial year 2014/15,

The Redbridge Concern for Mental Health, which raises awareness and aims to combat stigma, and Redbridge Forum, which provide services to children with learning disabilities and their carers, make up the RDC.

The cabinet recognised that an increase in demand for the services and funding cuts have reduced the RDC’s resources and therefore it deserved support.

Age UK Redbridge received a £38,800 grant for the work they do with the over-50s.

They give advice to those who can claim benefits, provide assistance and support to those leaving hospital and give the vulnerable exercises in the falls programme.

Special projects manager Andrea Albu said: “Mainly the work we do is preventative, keeping them healthy, making them stay as independent as possible for as long as possible.”

Another beneficiary was the Redbridge Faith Forum which will see £42,000 of funding. The organisation provides advice and training on equality issues and support to victims of harassment and discrimination as part of its work.