The Media Trust has opened a grassroots grants scheme, offering cash, training and support to communities isolated and disempowered by age, long-term illness or disability.

The Community Voices grant scheme, now in its second run, offers grants of £500 to up to seven grassroots groups representing these communities. Successful applicants will also be offered advice and training from the Media Trust in an effort to empower and make a difference in the lives of the socially excluded via the use of digital media.

Media Trust’s marketing and communications director Gavin Sheppard, said that the scheme had been very successful in its first round. “The Community Voices scheme has already been a huge success, enabling us to support 48 disadvantaged and isolated communities and touching the lives of more than 60,000 people," he said.

"We are extremely happy to be able to continue the scheme and help even more communities to get their voices heard, learn new skills and pass these on, creating a lasting legacy where the communities can teach and empower others in true big society style.”

Applications for funding should be made to the Media Trust by 13 June, 2011.