Young wheelchair users, canoeists and people coming out of homelessness will benefit from small grants awarded to more than a dozen community groups and charities in Norwich.

A total of 74 groups across Norfolk received more than �260,000 from the second batch of funding distributed by the Norfolk Community Fund, which aims to provide practical support for organisations to run new activities.

Young wheelchair users are set to take part in a one-day training event in Norwich in the autumn that will be funded by a �3,000 grant to Go Kids Go.

Training manager Roy Wild said the charity's approach is unique, with parents, siblings and friends also taking part, and using spare wheelchairs to understand difficulties getting through doors, up curbs and across rough ground.

He said: 'Once parents understand what we are trying to achieve they can carry the training on because they know what it feels like. It's very much like teaching someone to ride a bike – it's about finding your balance on two wheels.'

Emmaus Norwich, which helps previously homeless people support themselves, will use its �5,000 grant to complete fire security work that will let it expand its work at All Hallows Convent in Ditchingham.

Community leader Paul Bain said: 'It will allow us to move into Holy Cross House which will give us 15 further rooms and a better kitchen and dining room and sitting rooms. It means we will be able to utilise these rooms for people to sleep in and socialise in.'

The Norwich-based Eagle Canoe club will use its �2,310 to buy equipment the improve the paddling experience of teenagers.

Chairman Stuart Pontin said young adults currently had to use canoes and kayaks that do not suit them properly.

Grants from the fund, created by the Norfolk County Strategic Partnership, are awarded quarterly, with a June 8 deadline for applications for the third round. See www.norfolkfoundation.com/norfolkcommunityfund.

The Norwich groups that will receive grants are:

1st Norwich Sea Scout Group, �5,000

35th Norwich Sea Scout Group, �5,000

Action Community Enterprise CIC Limited, �2,200

Belvedere Community Association, �2,000

Eagle Canoe Club, �2,310

Home-Start Norwich, �5,000

Interface Learning Association, �4,999

Mile Cross Playscheme, �3,000

Mow & Grow Ltd, �3,556

Norfolk Deaf Association, �5,000

Norwich & West Norfolk Citizens Advice Bureau, �4,976

Norwich Door to Door, �3,900

Norwich International Youth Project, �5,000

Opening Doors, �2,597

PINAS – Pinoy In Norwich Aksyong Samahan, �1,000