GROUPS who work with people with sensory disabilities across the North-East are being urged to apply for grants.

Orange Community Futures is a grants programme recognising and rewarding grassroots projects organised by small voluntary or registered charitable organisations. The awards scheme, now in its second year, is designed to support community projects that use communication creatively to enable people with sensory disabilities to participate more fully in society.

Orange is encouraging applications from groups focused around music, film, literature, sport and information technology, and is keen to recognise innovative and creative projects.

Simon Davis, community affairs manager at Orange, said: "Sensory disability is our charity focus this year and we are interested in hearing from projects that have creative communication solutions for people with sensory disabilities."

Last year, two organisations from the region benefited from the scheme Tyneside Recreation Club for the Blind and Community Arts Project, in North Tyneside.

Kenneth Robson, chairman and youth leader of the Recreation Club for the Blind, said they would use the grant to give young people a greater voice through making films to communicate their challenges and issues.

The grant awarded to the Community Arts Project will help the group set up a signed singing choir where both hearing and deaf people sing together.

Small groups may apply for awards of between £2,500 and £5,000 and application forms are available now. The closing date for applications is August 31.

To apply, visit www.orange.co.uk/cfa or call the Orange community futures award information line on 0845 070 0112.