SW communities celebrate Lotto windfall

Good causes across the South West region are today sharing almost three quarters of a million pounds in the latest Awards for All grants from the Big Lottery Fund.

A total of 87 groups are sharing a windfall that will bring some new ideas to life and help change people’s lives around the region.

In Trowbridge the SPLITZ Support Service will use an award of £10,000 to run drama-based interventions for young people, who have suffered as a result of domestic abuse while Bath Mind, the mental health charity, has landed £2,613 to provide children and young people at schools with mental health awareness training. This will help them to better understand mental health and learn to recognise when they or a friend may need help.

The people of Bristol can get on their bike now that Life Cycle UK has landed £8,840 to deliver six free cycling events open to the whole community but targeted at families from Bristol’s most deprived wards. This will engage beneficiaries in activities designed to improve their overall health and wellbeing.

The St Ives Surf Surf Life Saving Club is one of 18 Cornish projects celebrating today. The group will splash out on a new rescue boat with their grant of £9,969 to help keep the local community safe in the water.

Over in Devon, 15 projects have benefitted from an Awards for All cash boost, including Tarka Radio, in Barnstaple which has picked up £8,496 to purchase new equipment that will improve the way in which this hospital radio service reaches the needs of its unwell and isolated listeners.

Meanwhile, Plymouth Heartbeat will be able to help even more people get fit and active thanks to a £6,481 grant that means the group will be able to offer new fitness activities for people living with the effects of ill health and also improving the existing services they offer.

Lyn Cole, Deputy England Director of the Big Lottery Fund, said: “Awards for All is about using small amounts of money to make a huge difference to local communities and people in need. We want to hear from anyone with plans to improve the lives of people around them so please get in touch with our advice line, it could make all the difference.”

The Big Lottery Fund is offering applicants support and guidance on applying for Awards for All funding and top tips on presenting your project. Webinars run every week and last approximately 30 minutes to an hour. Questions can be asked throughout the presentation through a live chat panel.

Please join our Awards for All webinars by visiting www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/englandwebinars