WIREDGOV

Domestic violence support groups are among Welsh projects benefitting from the latest round of National Lottery funding. 

A total of 127 community-based projects across Wales share in the £518,554 awarded under the latest round of the Awards for All small grants programme (Full project descriptions available by clicking here). 

According to Wales Violence Against Women Action Group, women in the country suffer more than 200,000 incidents of domestic abuse every year, with nearly 2,500 sexual assaults and seven deaths. 

And at Christmas, there are often stories about the potential rise in domestic violence. In yesterday’s announcement, two Welsh groups used small grants to support victims. 

Carmarthen Domestic Abuse Services Ltd receives £5,000 to develop a support group in the area which will provide weekly activity sessions and a monthly outing for up to 15 women. 

Ruth Hazell, Head of Carmarthen Domestic Abuse Services, said: “The funding will make a massive difference to the women who have experienced domestic abuse. It will provide opportunities to get together to have fun while learning new skills, which will help to rebuild their confidence and self-esteem, and eventually be encouraged to lead a session for themselves. 

“The weekly groups, which will be the start of our Cup-Cake brand, will support 6-15 people at any one time and we will also arrange monthly outings to places of interest which again will aid confidence building, help them to integrate into their community and form strong bonds with their environment and friendships for the future.”

And National Lottery money is not just supporting women victims. Horizon in Cardiff will spend £5,000 on workshops to provide support for BME men experiencing domestic abuse, aimed at preventing them from becoming socially excluded. 

Elsewhere in Wales, Llangyfelach Woman’s Institute in Conwy receives £4683 to celebrate their 60th Anniversary and also the 100th anniversary of the WI movement. Members are celebrating with a trip to the site of first WI exhibition in Llanfair and a series of exhibitions including one at Beaumaris Castle. 

In Newport, south Wales, Learning Disability Wales will use £2,652 to help three groups produce films about successes members have had which will be shown at its Shine conference. 

The Cheeky Dragons Youth Forum in Blaenau Gwent receives £4928 to run a 14-week project for young people who will provide homework support and workshops on a number of key aspects like time management, health & wellbeing, fitness, school readiness and food education. 

Young people who at risk of social exclusion or mental health problems will benefit from a£5,000 grant awarded to The Wave Project CIC in Bridgend to run a six week surfing course. 

Commenting on the latest bumper round of funding, Gareth Williams, Awards for All Programme Manager for the Big Lottery Fund in Wales, said: “Awards for All is having a positive impact throughout Wales. Money is helping to establish groups, societies and clubs, promoting learning, increasing volunteering opportunities and helping to build stronger communities.” 

Available in English and Welsh, application forms are available to download fromwww.awardsforall.org.uk or by phone on 0845 4 10 20 30. 

Further Information: 

Ben Payne - Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 01686 611 720 
Out of Hours Contact: 07980 914 898 
Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030 Textphone: 0845 6021 659

Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available at:www.biglotteryfund.org.uk  
Follow BIG on Twitter: www.twitter.com/biglotterywales  
Find BIG on facebook: www.facebook.com/biglotteryfundwales  

Notes to editors:

• The Big Lottery Fund is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery.
• The Fund is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since its inception in 2004 it has awarded close to £6bn.
• In the year ending 31 March 2013, 28% of total National Lottery revenue was awarded to projects. Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £31 billion has been raised and more than 400,000 grants awarded.