55 communities across Wales are thanking National Lottery players this month

The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded £787,296 in grants to 55 communities across Wales this month.

Gerddi Bro Ddyfi Gardens in Machynlleth picked up the largest award of £99,603. Welcoming the grant Angela Paxton, Senior Volunteer Coordinator, said

“This is fantastic news for everyone involved with the gardens, and we are all so excited about what we will be able to achieve with this funding, helping more local people and families through our drop in session and events, and improving the community garden with more seating, new planting, and better access, for the enjoyment of all. Volunteers will be making a new willow playdome for children at the gardens next week, which is being donated by a local expert.”

Volunteers from Cyfle Newydd, the day centre in Machynlleth were at the gardens on Tuesday, and explained why they like coming to drop in sessions at Gerddi, saying:

“We’re so glad Gerddi’s here because it’s got easy access, we can walk to it, it’s therapeutic and it’s fun to work in the gardens.”

Halo Leisure Services in Bridgend are using their grant to help people with Dementia and their carers to get out and get fit. They successfully bid for £58,858 to spend over the next three years. Halo Leisure Active Community Coordinator, Ryan Statton said:

“We are delighted to receive this award from The National Lottery Community Fund Wales. We have been running dementia friendly swimming sessions in our pool in Bridgend since January 2018. This funding allows us to support even more local people with dementia and their carers to get more physically active not just in the pool but in a range of other activities The carers benefit as much as the person with dementia. The cup of tea and natter in the cafe after the session is just as important as what happens in the pool or the sports-hall. “

Find out more about how the communities will be spending their grants (PDF, 467KB) but if you need a non-pdf version please contact: wales@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk