THESE are dark days indeed for small groups and organisations whose survival depends on government grants and funding.

With billions of pounds having to be clawed back in every tier of public services, now is the worst time in decades for community projects to go cap-in-hand to the Government or local authorities to ask for funding.

One such initiative facing the end of its cash lifeline is the award-winning Altogether Better, which has been promoting healthy eating and active lives in disadvantaged areas of York, such as Westfield, Clifton, Guildhall and Heworth.

The organisation has been under the wing of the region’s health trust, NHS North Yorkshire and York, since 2008 but relies on National Lottery funding to survive, that funding, however comes to an end in June.

With everyone having to tighten their belts thanks to pay freezes and rising living costs, it may be hard to lament the passing of a group such as Altogether Better, but for the women whose lives have been transformed, the loss is definitely a cut too far.

A small group of women from the Tang Hall area of York are benefiting from fitness courses funded by the by project.

One of those is Rachel Blythe, a 32-year-old, single mum of two who lives in Aldwark in the centre of York. Rachel signed up for 12 weeks of kickboxing at the Multi Masters Academy with some friends while she was taking part in healthy food courses, also run by Altogether Better.

She said: “I first got involved with the Altogether Better project with their food courses in 2010. I wasn’t really into cooking and I wanted to learn new recipes and be able to make healthier food for my kids.

“Before then it was a case of whacking stuff out of the freezer and in to the oven; now it’s much better with fresh vegetables.”

Rachel said the cooking course was “absolutely brilliant”.

“Instead of heating up chicken nuggets and pizzas I can now make sweet and sour chicken and fish pies. The kids really like it, too, and they ask me to make it for them.

“It was while I was doing the food courses that I got asked if I wanted to consider doing a fitness course as well. Kickboxing was something a bit different, so I gave it a try.

“Its hard work but I do feel fitter and less tired all the time. The first time my legs absolutely ached – I thought I was dying – but now I’m not noticing it. It’s great because you can do it with friends, so it’s sociable too.”

She said: “I don’t think a lot of the women who’ve signed up for the kickboxing would be here if it wasn’t for the funding from Altogether Better.

“If people had to pay for it I don’t think they would have the motivation to go every week, but because there is the funding people think they have got to make it count.

“If the Government is wanting to stop problems like obesity then they need to be putting money in to things like this.”

Suzanne Carr, who runs the Altogether Better programme in York, said there were “lots of Rachels”.

“She is a really good example of someone who’s moved on. There are many people who have made similar changes.

Suzanne admits that if funding cannot be found for the group, it will cease to exist in July this year. While many of the small groups in York it has nurtured will go on, she said that the work of schemes such as Altogether Better was “vital”.

“People need a catalyst to change,” she said. “They need information which is accurate and given in a way which is understandable to them.

“The project aims to empower local people so they can improve the health and well-being of themselves, their families and their local communities.

“When the project started, our focus was on community members, frontline workers and volunteers.

Since September 2009, we have turned our attention directly to individuals within these communities who need our help most to achieve a healthier lifestyle and improved mental well-being.

“I’m pleased to say that we’ve made good progress so far and reached out to hundreds of people, both directly and indirectly.

“The success of our project is down to all the people who have participated in the courses and to the support that we have received from our partners, such as City of York Council, the Children’s Centres, voluntary organisations and private businesses like the Multi Masters Academy.”

She said the organisation had worked directly with 157 people last year, who in turn passed on their new-found knowledge to benefit their families.

If you are an organisation who can help Altogether Better, contact Suzanne at suzanne.carr@nyypct.nhs.uk