£200 million of vital support to communities in England, thanks to National Lottery players

13 Jul 2021 10:28 AM

In the first six months of this year, nearly £200 million in vital National Lottery funding has gone to communities across England, supporting them as they seek to overcome social and economic challenges caused by the pandemic and build back stronger.

The life-enhancing sum, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, was awarded to over 4,500 community groups and projects between 1 January, when the country was struggling through the winter lockdown, through to 25 June, when communities were seeking to re-build and reconnect again.

It comes on top of over £650 million of National Lottery funding distributed to communities across the UK last year throughout the pandemic*, plus £200 million allocated by the Government to the Coronavirus Community Support Fund in England.

The £200 million cash injection this year has funded activities in over 99% of constituencies. 40% (£78 million) has gone to all areas in England identified as most in need of levelling up, including Durham, St Helens and Walsall. The activities are important to communities emerging from the pandemic and range from a mentoring scheme for vulnerable young people to steer them away from crime and improve their employment prospects, a ‘handy helpers’ service for older and disabled people, and singing sessions to help support those experiencing long COVID and loneliness.

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