WIREDGOV

A young, single mother that lived in care after experiencing an abusive childhood has said that a Pembrokeshire charity has empowered her to overcome her past and live independently for the first time. 

Mothers Affection Matters CIC receive £5,000 deliver their Changing the Story project to support and empower women in Pembrokeshire that have experienced trauma, violence and loss, and are one of 100 community projects across Wales receiving a share of £421,674under the latest round of the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All small-grants programme. (Full project descriptions can be found here). 

Catrin Smith is a young single mother from Pembrokeshire and grew up in a home where there were a lot of problems with abuse and alcoholism, eventually being put into care. After leaving care she later entered an abusive relationship of her own, continuing the cycle of abuse, at which point she decided to act and approached Mothers Affection Matters CIC. 

Speaking of her experience, Catrin said: “I joined Mothers Affection Matters about a year ago after I’d got into an abusive relationship and completely lost my confidence. I was really lucky to be able to get one to one counselling sessions as well as the weekly group sessions that were being run by the group, and these really helped me to regain my lost confidence and feel like I was finally able to walk away from my traumatic past and to live my life. 

It’s great that the Big Lottery Fund has awarded this grant to Mothers Affection Matters. It’s important to raise awareness of the work that they do as well as to be able to support more people that have had similar experiences to me.” 

Katie Jones, Emotional Trauma Therapist at Mothers Affection Matters said: “It really is time for this story to end and with it, the perpetuating cycle of abuse and instead begin to tell a new story, of domestic bliss, of safe homes and of thriving human beings. 

“The 'Changing the Story’ programme will combine the ancient art of storytelling with the latest neuro-science developments and energy psychology techniques, and then bringing in all the things that help to make us feel good, from dance and movement, to song and laughter. It is time for us to heal the wounds of the past through joy.” 

Elsewhere, in North Wales, Pogim CIC in Conwy will use £4,870 to develop younger people’s resilience, and to inspire change by supporting them to develop a set of films, and Conwy Connect for Learning Disabilities receive £2,000 to hold an inclusive, accessible cultural festival for their supported families and members of their local community. 

Welcoming the award, Conwy Connect for Learning Disabilities’ Engagement Coordinator, Catherine Pickering said: “Connect Buddies and Conwy Connect for Learning Disabilitieswarmly welcomes the Awards for All grant. 

“Connect Buddies is an exciting service available from Conwy Connect for Learning Disabilities, we pair volunteers with individuals with a learning disability, so they are able to attend events together. For example, live music, festivals, the theatre and once in a lifetime events. 

“The service combats timely services that are offered by care providers, by providing an alternative to finishing your evening out before care ends/shift changes. The project also helps to reduce the stigma that that individuals with a learning disability face on a day to day basis, and strengthens community links.” 

Elsewhere in South Wales, Off the Streets in Blaenau Gwent receive £2,389 to run a community café for young people in the area that will create a safe space for them to socialise with one another. 

Speaking of the award, Samantha Woodward of the project said: "The Off the StreetsCommittee, on behalf of The Space Youth Café would like to thank the Big Lottery Fund for the funding they provided us. The Space Youth Café provides a safe and fun environment for young people to partake in activities, learn informally and use the provision as a drop in and chill out space." 

In Cardiff, Race Equality First Limited are awarded £5,000 to provide support for LGBT asylum seekers and refugees living in South Wales, allowing them regularly meet for support, receive advice and to socialise in a safe environment. 

Welcoming the funding, Aliya Mohammed of the project said: “Race Equality First welcomes and immensely appreciates the funding from Awards for All for this greatly needed project. The funding will enable us to provide a safe, welcoming, friendly and non-judgemental group for LGBT asylum seekers and refugees to regularly meet for support, socialise and receive advice and advocacy around their asylum claims.” 

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 0345 4 10 20 30.

Note: Catrin Smith is a pseudonym. Please contact the Big Lottery Fund Press team if you would like to contact Katie Jones to discuss the Mothers Affection Matters case study. 

Further Information:

Ben Payne - Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 01686 611 720 
Public Enquiries Line: 03454 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 supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK. We are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes.
• Since June 2004 we have awarded over £6.5billion to projects that make a difference to people and communities in need, from early years intervention to commemorative travel funding for World War Two veterans.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £34 billion has been raised and more than 450,000 grants awarded.