We aren’t just creating things, we are creating a community

Meet the two artists and mothers behind the creative project hoping to combat loneliness for pregnant women

This Loneliness Awareness Week (14-18 June), The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, is shining a light on the incredible community projects and charities using National Lottery funding to build social connections and tackle loneliness in Gloucestershire.

Loneliness is a big concern. According to The National Lottery Community Fund’s most recent Community Research Index (a survey of more than 7,000 people across the UK) almost half of respondents (47%) say that tackling loneliness and isolation is an important priority for the year ahead. At the same time, recent research reveals that the number of people in the UK feeling “often” or “always” lonely has jumped by more than a million since last year - from 2.6 million to 3.7 million.

Communities are keen to get to grips with the challenge – in the past five years almost £700 million of National Lottery funding has been distributed to charities working to address loneliness and social isolation and build connections and relationships.

In the South West alone, 313 projects have received a share of £18,274,126 National Lottery funding since the start of the pandemic to tackle the issue.

The Baby Makers, a regular creative workshop for pregnant women and new mums in Stroud, is just one of many local groups that have stepped up to support people feeling isolated during this challenging time. It has been awarded nearly £10,000 of National Lottery funding to create a safe space for pregnant women and new mums and their midwives to meet, create, chat and forge bonds.

The National Lottery Community Fund has also combined forces with the Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the Local Connections Fund – a £4 million funding programme designed to help build connections within communities. Earlier this year, more than 850 community groups benefitted from the first round of Local Connections Fund grants, with the second round opening to applications 28 June.

The funding is particularly aimed at small organisations with an income of less than £50,000 that are working with communities more vulnerable to social isolation. To find out more, visit: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/local-connections-fund.

Sharon Bennett, co-founder of The Baby Makers, said: “ In Stroud there were lots of baby classes, but very little for the mums themselves. I also teach a crochet class and found that when we were sat together making, we were also creating a community, which is so important for first time Mums as it can be a really lonely and isolating time… Thanks to National Lottery players, we are able to create a free sanctuary for mothers from all different backgrounds to come and bond.”

Sarah Dixon, co-founder of The Baby Makers, said: “There’s a huge amount of upheaval and a significant change of identity to contend with when you have a child for the first time, which can be very challenging and lonely… not having the mother and baby group available throughout the pandemic was a real loss for lots of local women. Thanks to this funding we are able to provide a service that brings together mothers from all over Stroud, and the

surrounding area, to start to forge a like minded community.”

Kelly, a participating midwife, said: “Sharon and Sarah created a space that felt very safe to explore creative expression; I’ve discovered the motivation to pursue a practice of my own, which has given me an invaluable tool to pause and unwind from an emotionally intense job.”

Rowan Miller, Head of Funding for the South West at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “As we continue to feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, tackling the stigma around loneliness and making it okay to ask for help remains more important than ever.

“Loneliness affects people of all ages and from all walks of life, and we know that because of lockdown many people are experiencing isolation for the very first time. That’s why it’s so important that local groups receive the funding they need to support people to connect, reduce feelings of isolation and help their local communities come together. We’re delighted to provide this lifeline on behalf of National Lottery players and also in conjunction with Government – this support will help many more people to thrive.”

Thanks to National Lottery players, £36 million is raised every week for the UK’s good causes, and £41 billion has been distributed to 565,000 good causes across the UK since 1994.

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk