Nationwide delight as £3.3 million of National Lottery money set to make life changing difference

This month 48 groups in Wales are sharing in £3,329,844 of National Lottery money. The grants are made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Dynamic Centre for Children and Young People with Disabilities in Wrexham receive £487,309 to support disabled young people living in Wrexham with the transition into adulthood. Support will be tailored to the individual but may include support around education, training and employment, wellbeing support and advice, practical and life skills and social opportunities.

Carol Gardner, of the project, said: “Dynamic are thrilled, thanks to the National Lottery, to be able to develop a project that is young people led, supporting them to achieve their aspirations in their transition to adulthood and towards exciting futures.

“We are aware of the need for work opportunities and skill development to enable disabled young people to be better prepared for the world of work or volunteering and hope that this project and the development of a social enterprise will go some way to filling this gap, ensuring they can play full and active parts in their communities.”

Brynberian Community Centre in Pembrokeshire will use £100,000 to develop the community facility and enhance the opportunities for those who live in Brynberian and the surrounding communities including Crosswell, Eglwyswrw, Newport, Nevern, Cilgwyn and Gwaun Valley. A programme of intergenerational activities will be delivered, based on community engagement and feedback, creating opportunities for social interaction and improving health and wellbeing.

Sandra Llewellyn, the Chair of Trustees at the Brynberian Community Centre said; "We are absolutely thrilled to receive this grant for our Brynberian Past, Present and Future project. The funds will enable us to provide a resource for the wellbeing of our whole community to take part in activities, celebrate and grow our cultural and natural history, and create social networks in our beautiful, rural, bilingual village. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all players of The National Lottery!"

Elevate in the Vale of Glamorgan will be using £494,756 to provide coaching and mentoring to secondary school pupils in the Vale of Glamorgan, Cardiff and Bridgend who have poor attendance due to anxiety and confidence issues.

Kantz Misra of Elevate, said: “We’re delighted to receive National Lottery money to expand our services into Cardiff, and surrounding areas. We know how important our work is to the young people we serve and we’re pleased to be able to give more people the opportunity to get involved. Thank you to National Lottery players for making this grant possible.”

Other grants in Wales include, Domestic Abuse Safety Unit in Flintshire who receive £465,500 to continue and expand the existing work of Progress, to provide one-to-one support, the recovery toolkit and closer working arrangements with Job Centre Plus across Wrexham and Flintshire. The project will work with women and men who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse increasing personal safety, improving emotional and mental health and improving access to advice and support.

The Kings Church in Newport will use £499,841 to continue to support community organisations and groups by delivering food and essential goods to their locations, allowing them to then distribute them amongst their communities. The project will be delivered across Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Torfaen and Merthyr Tydfil. The intervention service offers immediate support to families in crisis, whilst supporting community workers to focus on delivering their core work to families in need.

Elsewhere across Wales, Ray Ceredigion will be using £393,397 to develop their centre in Aberaeron, providing a focus on those who are most isolated to improve their overall health and wellbeing. A family centre will enable families with children aged 1-4 years to come together to build peer support and attend a programme of activities to develop their skills and experiences.

In Rhondda Cynon Taf, Lee Gardens Pool Committee will use £455,601 to build on the organisation’s current provision in Penrhiwceiber. The project will create a community facility and café and upgrading their pool facilities. They will also provide pool-based activities including swimming lessons, lifeguard training, and open play sessions, and a wide range of community activities, events, accredited training, and volunteering opportunities.

A full list of projects can be found here.