£4.5m of National Lottery money awarded to 91 communities across Wales

4 Jun 2020 01:56 PM

Today (4 June 2020), The National Lottery Community Fund announced it awarded £4.5 million over the last month to 91 community projects across Wales, many of which are helping people to support each other through the COVID-19 crisis.

The grants have been made possible thanks to National Lottery players. For a list of organisations receiving a grant please read the full list here.

Announcing today’s funding totalling £4,599,919 John Rose, Director of The National Lottery Community Fund in Wales said:

“It’s inspiring to see people demonstrating the strengths of their communities and the importance of staying connected with each other in these challenging times. These awards, made possible by National Lottery players, recognise the incredible work happening in our communities the length and breadth of Wales.

“I would like to thank all the groups, staff and volunteers for rising to the challenges of COVID-19 and in doing so bringing hope for the future.”

In Cardiff, Single Parents Wellbeing receive £9,990 to provide online crafting sessions, help with home education, and social support networks for single parents and their children during COVID-19.

Amy Holland, Director at Single Parents Wellbeing, said:

“The grant from The National Lottery Community Fund will make such a difference for our community. We have had a great initial response to our Creativity in COVID-19, with 82 single parents signing up within 48 hours which has meant that we are currently building capacity to double sessions because they were fully booked so quickly.

“Creativity during this pandemic is really important. It’s a way of creating something together, building on our community and even trying something new. Getting creative during Covid-19 will be a welcomed distraction from the outside world and provide a moment of mindfulness.

“This will give us a chance to unleash our collective creativity during lockdown and beyond.”

Also in South Wales, Halo Leisure Services in Bridgend will use a COVID-19 grant top-up of £8,085 to help them to continue to support people affected by dementia. They will offer telephone support, create exercise materials on DVD and online, and distribute printed ‘reminiscence packs’ to allow people to enjoy and keep mentally active while at home.

In Rhondda Cynon Taf, Valleys Kids have received a COVID-19 grant top-up of £48,000 to provide food parcels, health and wellbeing activities and activity packs to vulnerable families.

Elise Stewart, of Valleys Kids, said: “The community have been delighted and extremely grateful. People are being supported and they are engaging in constructive, positive and creative ways. We are so very, very thankful to the National Lottery.”

In Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire People First will use £11,000 to continue support people with learning disabilities and autism and other vulnerable people who are struggling with isolation, poverty and health issues during the COVID-19 crisis, including running a range of virtual activities, and phone calls and mail-outs for families.

Builth Wells Community Support in Powys receive £10,000 to support elderly, vulnerable or self-isolating households, by delivering essential items and providing transport to medical appointments.

Click here for the full press release