Evaluation of the National Lottery COVID-19 Fund

Introduction

This report evaluates how the National Lottery COVID-19 Fund helped charities and community groups during the pandemic. It examines the impact of the finding, including how it supported vulnerable people, helped organisations to keep running, enabled volunteers to contribute, and allowed services to adapt quickly to meet new needs created by COVID-19.

It's intended for policymakers, funders and voluntary sector organisations involved in crisis response

Findings

The evaluation found that the National Lottery COVID-19 Fund was successful in helping charities and community organisations support people most affected by the pandemic.

Funding enabled organisations to reach millions of people, particularly those experiencing loneliness, poor mental health, financial difficulties, disability, or other challenges.

Many organisations adapted their services quickly, using phone, online and face-to-face support to continue helping their communities.

Beneficiaries were reported to have better mental wellbeing, feel less isolated, and have stronger social connections as a result. The funding also helped many charities survive financially during a very difficult period, preventing some from reducing services or closing altogether.

It supported organisations to keep staff, recruit new workers, and make greater use of volunteers.

While there were signs that the support may have reduced pressure on some public services, the evidence was not conclusive.

Overall, the report concludes that the fund played an important role in helping communities cope with the impacts of COVID-19.