WIREDGOV

Concerts for hundreds of care home residents and a social enterprise to help people recovering from alcohol and drug problems are among Welsh projects receiving funding announced today by the Big Lottery Fund.  

A total of 135 community-based projects across Wales share in the £519,969 awarded under the latest round of the Awards for All small grants programme (Full project descriptions available by clicking here). 

Music in Hospitals will use £4,600 to stage a series of musical concerts in residential care homes across south Wales, aimed at improving health and well-being of participants. 

Robert Aitken, from Music in Hospitals, said: “With the help of the funding, we will be able to bring the joy of live music to literally hundreds of elderly residents of care and nursing homes in south Wales. 

“Many of these people will have dementia, many will be vulnerable and isolated and none of them will have the opportunity to experience high-quality live music. Thanks to the funding, we will be able to lift their spirits, and get them joining in with our music by singing, dancing and playing simple musical instruments.” 

Recovery Cymru in Cardiff receives £3,100 to establish a craft-based social enterprise called Recovery Gifts. The grant will fund a sewing machine, craft supplies and a festival to launch their work. 

In north Wales, St Brigid’s School in Denbigh will spend £3,244 on creating a sensory garden and outdoor classroom for children with additional learning needs. The development will include a summer house, sensory path and decking area. 

Staying with the outdoor theme, KIM Inspire in Flintshire receives £4,978 to create a kitchen garden and an outdoor seating and recreation space for women with mental health problems. 

In mid Wales, Powys Domestic Abuse Forum gets £5,000 to produce packs for school pupils about healthy relationships while Montgomeryshire Multiple Sclerosis Society will spend£1,800 to help raise awareness about the disease. 

Robert Robinson, Chair of Montgomeryshire Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, said: “The grant received will make a great difference in enabling us to reach those who have MS but do not know where to get help and also ensuring that information is given so that people can identify if they should see a doctor about the condition. 

“The information issued will also help people become aware of how many people it affects and what it is all about. Without the grant aid we would not be able to complete this part of our work.” 

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.