YOU can now who decide which community groups will share in £25,000 worth of grants from the Big Lottery Fund (BIG).

Ten projects have now been shortlisted for the chance of receiving up to £5,000 each through BIG’s Grab a Grant competition in partnership with the South Wales Argus.

Two of the projects are being featured every day this week along with information about all the others.

For a more in depth look at all ten and to read the competition rules visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/grabagrant Once you’ve decided which one of the community projects is your favourite, please put a tick next to its name on the voting form below, cut it out and post it back using the freepost address before the closing date on March 23.

Then the five projects receiving the most support will be awarded the National Lottery grants aimed at supporting small community groups in south east Wales.

Winners will be announced at the end of the month.

All the groups will be appealing for your vote over the coming days so look out for their activities in your local area.

To find out what other funding is available from the Big Lottery Fund, which helps Welsh communities most in need visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/grabagrant Today, we are featuring the Newport branch of Parkinson’s UK which would like £3,704 and Monmouth Citizens Advice Bureau which would like your vote for £4,661.

The Parkinson’s Disease support group is hoping to Grab a Grant to buy Nintendo Wiis and balance boards to help prevent falls and better manage symptoms.

The Newport branch of Parkinson’s UK would use £3,704 to buy six consoles and balance boards and then hold Wii taster and therapeutic treatment sessions.

Consoles would also be lent out to members.

Parkinson’s Disease is a neurological condition affecting 1 in 500, about 127,000 people in the UK.

People with the condition need to exercise regularly to combat rigidity and stiffness of joints and improve their balance. The disease can also affect people’s confidence so they don’t feel comfortable exercising in public places.

Jenni McCabe, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2001 and is a member of the Newport branch, knows all too well the effects of poor balance.

She said: “I was once out shopping and I just went straight down on my face – I didn’t trip on anything, it was just my balance. My face looked like I had done ten rounds with Mike Tyson.”

A survey carried out by Parkinson’s UK showed that two thirds felt that using the Wii Fit helped them manage symptoms as well as bringing added social benefits of using the console with family and friends.

“We’ve identified the Nintendo Wii as a very beneficial tool to allow sufferers to become more physically active,” said Mrs McCabe.

“It helps improve mood and combat the anxiety and depression that many people with Parkinson’s experience.”

A dilapidated Citizens Advice Bureau could get a new lease of life if it gets your vote.

Monmouth CAB, which provides services from an old prefab building in Whitecross Street, is currently in a poor state of repair and needs £4,661 of refurbishment works to help create a better environment for clients and volunteers.

Money would not only provide much-needed new furniture but also a new front door.

The current wooden door is also old and creaking – a new aluminium one would make the building easier to access, particular for people in a wheelchair.

Once all the planned work is complete, unused space upstairs would be able to be used for offices.

This would mean the service, which has been in the town for 42 years, could have a third interview room – making the whole building feel less crowded.

Manager Jo-Anne Lloyd said: “The whole building is in a poor state of repair If you ask the volunteers and staff what they think of it they would say it’s demoralising and dirty.

“Clients would also say it was quite depressing.

“It desperately needs refurbishment to create a pleasant environment to lift the murk and everyone’s spirits.

“And to establish this service on a regular basis we will require a third interview room which the group can provide by bringing unused space upstairs into use.

“The money to spruce up the building would also help us attract and recruit additional volunteers, extend opening hours and provide better access to the building for everyone who needs to use the group’s services.”

The Citizens Advice service aims to provide the advice people need for the problems they face and to improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives.

Other groups on the shortlist:

● Newport GREEN Hub wants £2,800 to establish a co-operative project to restore balance to the city through the exploration of ethical and environmental issues.

● Care and Repair Monmouthshire Limited wants £5,000 to set up a virtual book club, using telephone conferencing to help combat isolation and loneliness.

● St John Ambulance wants £4,871 to teach first aid skills to parents in Blackwood and Pontllanfraith so they can treat and save the lives of their children.

● St David’s Foundation Hospice Care wants £5,000 to improve the quality of life for patients with life threatening illnesses.

● Monmouthshire Brecon & Abergavenny Canals Trust Ltd wants £5,000 to modernise its community trip boat.

● Newport’s Urban Circle Productions wants £4,651 to provide activities like street dancing and rapping for young people.

● Belle Vue Sheltered Housing Social Club, Cwmbran , wants £2,500 for short break holiday where members will learn gardening and healthy living skills.

● South Gwent Children’s Foundation wants £5,000 to help children and young people with severe disabilities in Newport develop their communication skills through IT.

TO VOTE - SEE TODAY'S ARGUS TO GET YOUR FORM