Wishes granted this Christmas with grants for Welsh charities

18 Dec 2019 10:54 AM

Charity Wishes are granted this Christmas with more than three and a half million pounds in grants for communities across Wales. The National Lottery Community Fund has announced grants totalling £3,531,837.

2 Wish Upon a Star will use their £252,710 grant over five years to establish the organisation's services in North Wales. They help those affected by sudden and unexpected loss of a child or young person under 25 years old. The project will provide immediate support, counselling, complementary therapies, play therapy and support groups.

The Welsh Language Commissioner was impressed with another successful application from Menter Gorllewin Sir Gâr Cyf. He tweeted earlier this week:

“Fantastic to hear about improving young people's employability skills in west Wales, and the advantages of speaking Welsh in the workplace.”

Menter Gorllewin Sir Gâr Cyf’s project will offer work placement opportunities for young people across North Carmarthenshire and South Ceredigion, including 14-18 year olds. They will work across sectors to organise volunteering opportunities to raise aspirations and confidence, developing skills to increase employability, aiming to increase Welsh in the workplace and highlight the benefits as an essential skill. The £477,147 grant, over five years, will fund salaries, project delivery and equipment.

Finally, Clare Bugler, Director of Walsingham Support Community Solutions, based in Swansea yesterday said:

“We'd just like to say a really big thank you for being awarded this grant. It’s going to have a massive impact on the students of Pen-y-Bryn school and their life-chances for the future. Without National Lottery players the grant wouldn’t be possible, so thank you.”

Walsingham Support Community Solutions will spend their grant of £85,785, predominately working with Ysgol Pen y Bryn to provide work experience opportunities for 35 pupils aged 16-19. They will engage with local employers to ensure there are suitable placements for young people. The pupils at this school have additional learning needs and will be from the Swansea area. The pupils will also assist in hosting events to local community members who visit the Forge community centre.

To read more about the amazing organisations which have been successful in their bids for grants follow this link to download a full list.