There’s still time to enter the first round of a new awards initiative which will see a local scheme backed to the tune of £2,000.

Stevenage retail park Roaring Meg has teamed up with the Comet to support four community projects between now and May, with the deadline for the first lot of entries on Tuesday, September 13.

Among the entries so far for the Roaring Meg Community Support Award is Hitchin-based youth charity Phase’s pitch for funding for Creative Space, a fortnightly drop in arts café open to anyone between the ages of 13 and 18 who relates in any way to using harmful coping strategies such as self-harm or disordered eating.

The £2,000 would be used to provide room hire, materials, equipment, refefreshments and advertising information for young people.

Another entry is from the BB Thespians, a volunteer led group based at Broom Barns Community Primary School in Stevenage.

The award funding would be used for a performance area where children can enhance their social skills, develop their confidence and be artistically creative.

The space would be accessible to the BB Thespians, schoolchildren and their families, the breakfast and after-school club which caters for children from other schools and other community groups.

Following the success of the Roaring Meg Community Heroes initiative, which saw a monthly winner receive a £100 for their good deeds, the retail park based off Monkswood Way will now be supporting community projects that are currently being developed and/or implemented and need the extra funding. Entries for projects that have been completed will not be accepted. The prize money of £2,000 should be used for purchase of materials or products and must not be used for payment of consultancy fees or wages.

For full terms and conditions visit www.cometcommunityawards.co.uk. To nominate a group or project email communitysupportaward@thecomet.net.