A COMMUNITY centre is offering grants of £100 to groups in the borough to celebrate the first anniversary of organisers taking over the building.

The Mill, in Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow, was handed to a collective of residents a year ago who then spent months transforming it in time for its official opening in September 2011.

The site, formerly home to St James Street Library until it was closed down by the council, is now a thriving hub of activity, hosting exhibitions, classes and other events for the wider community.

To mark the milestone, organisers are offering 20 grants of £100, plus 15 hours of free room hire.

Mill treasurer Michael Leigh explained: “We’ve fast become a core part of the local landscape and we want to help other budding social entrepreneurs put their ideas into action.

“Many people have ideas that with the right support they know could improve our part of Walthamstow immensely and that’s what these grants provide.

"We particularly hope that younger people apply and are as successful as some of the older groups currently running at The Mill are”.

Judges will give preference to projects targeted at younger people, along with ideas that could benefit those with health issues and disabilities.

To apply, pick up an application form at the Mill or visit themill-coppermill.org.

The deadline is Saturday May 26.

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Twitter

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Facebook