WIREDGOV

A Welsh project that supports victims of domestic violence was a runner-up at the star-studded National Lottery Awards this evening.

Blaenau Gwent Domestic Abuse Services (BGDAS) was runner-up in the category for best voluntary/charity project. The winners were announced during a special, BBC1 programme, The National Lottery’s Big Night. Hosted by John Barrowman, live from The Roundhouse in London, seven awards were made to Lottery funded projects by celebrities including Kelly Brook, Benedict Cumberbatch and Amir Khan plus performances from McFly and Taio Cruz.

Helen Madden, BGDAS Chairwoman, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be a runner up. It means a huge amount to us and I feel it says a lot about the current profile of domestic abuse work in the UK. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us in our development and during the awards process. Our partners, clients, volunteers, trustee and amazing staff team have working incredibly hard to raise the profile of our work and of the issues faced byvictims of domestic abuse.”

Between 2003 and 2009, the Big Lottery Fund awarded over £300,000 to the Blaenau Gwent service, which has offered a range of support and information for around 1,800 cases of domestic abuse in the county borough.

John Rose, Acting Director of Big Lottery Fund Wales, said: “I am delighted that Blaenau Gwent Domestic Abuse Services has been recognised for its excellent work. BIG is proud to support such a great project that makes such a difference to people’s lives. I hope that everyone involved with the service is able to take time to celebrate their success.”

Services provided by BGDAS include free legal advice and representation, accompanying victims in court, advice on housing and childcare, acupuncture and victim rehabilitation programmes.

The money was used to employ a programme officer to work on the range of programmes being provided by the service as well as for a youth support worker to work with 11 to 25-year-olds affected by domestic abuse.

Cath James, Project Manager for BGDAS, said: “Our service makes a difference for so many people. Not only does it make a difference for the victim of domestic abuse but also their immediate family and friends who are also suffering directly or indirectly. Funding like the money from the Big Lottery Fund is crucial as it helps provide more services and ultimately reach more people in need.”

Jo Morgan, who suffered 12 years of domestic violence, now volunteers for the service after it helped transform her life.

“Police referred me to the Blaenau Gwent Domestic Abuse Services and they attended court with me, offered me support services and basically saved my life,” she said. “They gave me the confidence and support to finally break free.

“My message to other women is to get out of their violent relationship as quickly as they can. I know it’s not easier but there are fantastic support services out there to help them. The future is now all about giving me and my family the best life possible. Our new lives have put a smile back on our faces and I’m going to keep it that way.”

Further Information

If calling on Saturday or Sunday contact: 07500 951707
All other times contact: 02920 678 224
Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030
Textphone:  0845 6021 659
Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Background information

The National Lottery Awards are an annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects. The Awards recognise the difference that Lottery-funded projects – both big and small – make to local communities, and celebrate the achievements of the people behind them.

TwentyoneLottery Fundedprojects from across the UK battled their way through to the final stage of The National Lottery Awards, competing against two others in their category to be crowned the nation’s favourite and to collect a £2,000 cash prize to spend on the project.

Categories were: Best Arts Project, Best Education Project, Best Environment Project, Best Health Project in association with ivillage.co.uk, Best Heritage Project, Best Sport Project and Best Voluntary/Charity Project, in association with Woman magazine.

Notes to Editors

• The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out half the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
• BIG 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 June 2004. The Fund was formally established by Parliament on 1 December 2006
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, 28p from every pound spent by the public has gone to good causes. As a result, over £24 billion has now been raised and more than 330,000 grants awards across arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.