Words by Smiley Team
By Tom Barwell-Best
Who knew you can can still feel good buying a lottery ticket without winning?
This winter, the National Lottery Community Fund has gifted around 2,500 grants (more than £100 million) to community projects in need up and down the country, ranging from as little as £350 right up to £500,000.
The money has been given with the aim of addressing the needs within communities, such as mental health support, improving employability, tackling loneliness, improving disability accessibility, and and support for people at risk of homelessness.
The fund raises over £30million a week through the lottery, with a large part of that going straight back into the community. In total, £600 million a year is given away to good causes.
Simon Rawson, treasurer and trustee of Hitchin Counselling Service who received a grant this year gave his thanks over Facebook.
“We have provided the local community and all surrounding villages with free counselling to low income and disenfranchised individuals for the past 27 years," he wrote. "All our counsellors, supervisors and trustees work voluntarily. Yearly funding is essential however for running costs and CPD. Thank you again.”
Jeanette Farrugia, finance for a memorial hall in Smalley, also received a grant. “A massive thank you for funding our disabled toilet/baby change and accessible ramp at Richard Bentley Smalley Memorial Hall – what a difference it's made to our lovely hall”.
Another lucky receiver was “Spoons” in Greater Manchester, who were gifted £157,000 to support their work helping families and mothers recover from traumatic births.
The money will go towards expanding the resources of the Family Support Co-ordinators who assist families in the transition from hospital to home, get involved in supportive groups and sessions, as well as making referrals to additional services to give their children the best opportunities in early life.
This is just a handful of the 2500+ organisations who have been supported this year. To find out more, visit the National Lottery Community Fund website.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Partnerships for the Goals.
