A MUSLIM women's group in Ipswich has been handed £5,000 to improve social activities, it was announced today. The money is part of £1.2million countywide hand out by Suffolk County Council for groups to spend on leisure activities and facilities over the next two years.

A MUSLIM women's group in Ipswich has been handed £5,000 to improve social activities, it was announced today.

The money is part of £1.2million countywide hand out by Suffolk County Council for groups to spend on leisure activities and facilities over the next two years.

A council spokesman said: “Seven youth panels made up of around 50 young people, representing each district and borough council, met to review the applications and decide who would gain a share of the funding.

“The JIMAS Young Women's Group in Ipswich has been awarded £5,000 which will go towards the development of a safe support group for young Muslim women to undertake social activities and skills development workshops”

The shared £1.2 million has been awarded to 17 projects for young people in the county with cash from the Youth Opportunity and Youth Capital Fund.

Councillor Patricia O'Brien who has responsibility for children, schools and young people's services, said: “Young people in Suffolk have decided how this money is to be used in their community.

“I have been impressed by the creativity of the applications and their enthusiasm. The funding scheme is a great way to develop young people's confidence, skills and abilities, as well as gaining official recognition for their ideas and efforts.

“This is an opportunity that all young people in Suffolk should try to take advantage of. I look forward to seeing the ideas from them in the next round.”