Two volunteer projects in Bradford have told of their joy at receiving a cash boost of more than £400,000 between them from the Big Lottery Fund.

Thorpe Edge Community Project and Sharing Voices were today announced as two of 13 schemes across Yorkshire and the Humber that will share £3.7 million.

The funding, which is spread over five years, comes from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme.

The Thorpe Edge initiative provides support to more than 1,000 vulnerable people living in disadvantaged areas in Bradford whose health and wellbeing have been severely affected by the recession. The project will get £274,924.

John Sheen, community development work manager, said the money would go towards the development of the Bradford North Family Survival Project, which will offer tailor-made support to each service user.

“It will help people become more self-sufficient and manage their finances better,” said Mr Sheen. “People will be able to access things like low-cost furniture and transport, as well as advice on cooking on a low budget.

“It is all about trying to help people survive on a low income.”

The Sharing Voices project, which is based in Manningham, will get £156,878. The project works with people with mental health issues and distress, helping them through the recovery process.

Mohammed Shabbir, manager at Sharing Voices, said of the cash boost: “It is absolutely fantastic and quite critical for developing the service further. It is two-fold. We need new volunteers and to get our members into employment.”