A DAWLISH community centre has been given a grant to provide a secure safe for the charity’s premises.

The Strand Centre has been awarded the Burg-Wächter’s Secure Communities Scheme which allows them to receive free security products.

The Strand Community Trust, which runs The Strand Centre, applied for the scheme when it needed a safe.

There was nowhere for on-site income, donations and sensitive documents to be stored safely when the centre was closed.

The trust was given a 20.6litre safe with a mechanical lock and key entry.

The Home-Safe has a double-walled design which is attack and fire resistant and has space for files with an adjustable shelf to allow for organised storage.

The trust runs the Strand Centre which sees more than 1,200 people a year using its facilities and includes a café, food bank, drop-in and support services, and inclusive community events.

These services particularly support families, older adults, and individuals facing isolation, hardship or homelessness by providing affordable hot meals, emergency food support, a warm space, and vital connection for people in challenging circumstances.

Barrie Cooper, chairman of Trustees at Strand Community Trust, said: ‘We’re a small but active charity with limited resources and we rely heavily on volunteer time and local donations.

'Before our gifted safe, we didn’t have a secure location for various types of on-site income and donations when the centre was closed.

‘The addition of this safe now allows us to securely store these items and has given our staff and volunteers peace of mind and helps us safeguard our busy community hub.’

Burg-Wächter’s Secure Communities Scheme gives regional charities and community groups the chance to win a security kit worth up to £200 for their organisation.

Any regional initiative that is run by or supports the local community can apply and successful applicants receive tailored security kit to help secure property, premises, equipment, or storage areas.