An extra special ‘Dry January’ for local community group after National Lottery cash boost

Every January millions of people across the UK give up alcohol, but, for one Doncaster-based organisation, this year’s ‘Dry January’ is extra special after they were awarded over £161,000 from The National Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.

The funding comes as a huge boost to Sober Social - provided by Doncaster Alcohol Services (DAS) - enabling the community-led project to offer a range of activities, such as drama and book clubs, family fun days, shared meals, and a ‘dry’ festival.

The grant means DAS, based in Doncaster’s town centre, can provide a peer-to-peer network in which volunteers, who have themselves overcome addiction, support beneficiaries with substance misuse issues.

The money will also enable DAS to stay open later in the day, which will help to deter some of those who use the service from misusing drugs and alcohol.

For 55 year-old Doncaster local Sheryl Rainey attending DAS’s Sober Social scheme has helped her become more confident and meet more people. Speaking about the service, she said: “It’s a warm and friendly place, and I’ve met some lovely people here. Having Sober Social open more often will give others the opportunity to benefit from this amazing place just as I have.”

Callum Dixon, CEO of DAS, estimates that the new funding will enable the service to support more than 250 people over the next three years. He said: “We’re overjoyed to receive this funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. Our Sober Social project is a massive part of so many people’s recovery and forward movement in Doncaster.

“Thanks to National Lottery players we’ll be able to open five days a week and for longer - meaning people have a place to go to socialise, develop new skills, and be healthier much more frequently. The difference this will make to people’s lives is substantial.”

The award comes just as staff are preparing for Sober Social’s ‘first birthday’ by hosting a ‘Sober Summit’, themed on ‘recovery and community’, on Thursday 16 January 2020 at CAST, DN1 3BU.

Abdou Sidibe, Regional Head of Funding for Yorkshire and Humber at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, we’re able to fund good causes in Doncaster, such as this fantastic project that helps to give people the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make healthy decisions about their drug and alcohol use, and, ultimately, encourages the local community to thrive.”

Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £40 billion has been raised for good causes in the areas of arts, sport, heritage and community over the last 25 years.

Want to make a difference to your community? There are plenty of ways to apply for funding to turn great ideas into reality. To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk