GRASSROOTS community groups supporting the elderly and isolated on a housing estate have been given a lifeline after struggling with cashflow.

This month, Blackbird Leys Parish Council agreed to dish out £8,993 in grants to seven organisations on the Oxford estate, of which four will be working with older people.

Chairman Gordon Roper said there was less in the pot than previous years but councillors had tried to be 'fair' when allotting the money.

He said: "Some people hadn't applied for a grant this time, which was good, because we don't have enough money.

"We tried to even it out so everybody had something. Everyone is struggling and they are all worthy; if something closes on the estate we always worry."

A first-time applicant this year was a Friday bingo club catering for about 60 people a week, which received £450 for hall hire and bingo books.

The group has been running since July 2013 also treats members, many of whom are pensioners, to tea, coffee and snacks, a weekly raffle and Christmas meals.

Sandra McBlain, one of four co-organisers, said: "We are struggling at the moment and at one point we were thinking of having to shut the bingo club.

"It would be a tragic shame. We have members in their 70s; one lady said it's the only night a week she gets to talk to anybody, and we make sure she gets home safely.

"It's completely voluntary. At the moment I'm having to subsidise the bingo out of my own pocket and I can't keep doing this. It would be a tragic shame if we closed."

A big recipient was the Leys Community Development Initiative's over-50s project, which has run at the Clockhouse in Greater Leys for more than 20 years.

It received £1,052 towards phone bills, publicity, postage and printing and transportation for older people on the estate who might like to attend activities.

Penny Wood, who is now fundraising for the Clockhouse after the resignation of development worker Sally Meachim, said it reached 178 individuals last year.

She said: "We are trying to support and contact people who are elderly and isolated. Quite a few suffer from health problems and loneliness can be quite an issue.

"It can be difficult for people to make that first step and attend. People with mobility problems need a taxi to pick them up."

The Friendleys social group for older people, which meets once a week in the Jack Argent Room for refreshments, a natter and a raffle, also received £375.

Member Sandra Hook said: "We aim to bring people together from the area who would like to meet new friends. I'm a full-time carer and it's the one day I can be me."

Elsewhere the MYOX4 service was granted £1,196 to continue its gentle exercise sessions for people aged 50 and over.

The other groups to receive a grant were Blackbird Leys Information Technology Zone, which received £2,845 for hub hire, Oxford Polish Association, which received £1,670 for family activities, and Oxford Blackbirds football club, which received £1,405 for coach training.