NEW cash aims to help needy people get better access to social care services across Kirklees while living as independently as possible.

Councillors are set to approve a £2.5m package from the Kirklees Neighbourhood Renewal Fund to support two projects led by Kirklees Adult and Community Services.

The projects will help a wide range of people, including older people, people with a disability, unpaid carers and people in need of mental health support services.

They will cover areas including Almondbury, Botham Hall and Golcar estates, Crosland Moor, Dalton, Rawthorpe, Newsome, Fartown, Batley, Fieldhead estate, Windy Bank estate, Dewsbury South, Dewsbury West and Chickenley.

The projects aim to promote independence, health and well-being, while reducing isolation and loneliness.

The move by the Neighbourhood Renewal Decision Making Panel is in line with a new government White Paper for adult services called "Our health, our care, our say: a new direction for community services".

Clr Andrew Marchington, chairman of the panel, said: "These projects aim to give people more choice and control over the services that are provided for them.

"Ultimately we are trying to create services that allow people whatever their mental or physical ability, to live as freely and independently as possible."

Clr Dennis Hullock, the council's cabinet member for health and social services said: "Our common goal is to help local people when they need help and in as many ways as we can together.

"We will be doing new things in a different way for more people - that's an exciting opportunity to work with our local communities to help more people."

One of the projects will support voluntary and community organisations, which are already working in the Neighbourhood Renewal areas.

The other, starting in April, will enable more people to use the Gateway access service, which helps them to get health and social care advice and support under one roof or in their local community.