Eurovision-inspired community projects awarded over £300,000 in National Lottery funding to bring people together and support Ukrainian communities
Over £300,000 of National Lottery funding has brought together communities across the UK to mark the Eurovision Song Contest being held in Liverpool on behalf of Ukraine on Saturday 13 May, 2023.
Nearly 50 community groups across the UK have received funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, to mark the moment, with a particular focus on supporting the Ukrainian community in the UK, helping to increase their sense of belonging.
Projects include:
La Salle Hotel School in Liverpool
La Salle Hotel School is using the funding to provide vocational opportunities for young people and to connect Ukrainians to the wider community. Dianna Kysheniuk, 15, moved from Ukraine to the UK amid the ongoing conflict in her home country and has been visiting the project for cooking lessons.
Dianna Kysheniuk said: “The atmosphere was very nice; it was warm, and we had a lot of words of thanks about our very good food. The most popular food was a delicious dish of Ukrainian dumplings - we all enjoyed it!”
The Cowshed in Reading
The Cowshed is providing essential provisions, such as clothes and food, to Ukrainians in need. In the last year, the charity has helped over 1,000 Ukrainian refugees and hosted 250 of them in a Eurovision watch-along at Reading FC’s conference centre.
Rebecca Mole, Funding Manager at The Cowshed, said: “It is just a lovely thing for us to be able to do for these families who have gone through a horrific time, and still are going through a horrific time. It’s a momentary distraction for them to be able to celebrate Ukraine and come together.”
Sew Positive in Cambridgeshire
Sew Positive in Cambridgeshire has helped to connect the local community and Ukrainian refugees through sewing Ukrainian flags for a Eurovision watch-along party.
Melissa Santiago-Val, Founder of Sew Positive, said: “Loneliness and social isolation are major factors affecting Ukrainians and of course people have had to leave their homes and flee. We are dealing with such a wide range of people, some don't have any English language skills, so to be able to come together within many generations is special.”
David Knott, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “This year’s Eurovision Song Contest, hosted by the UK on behalf of Ukraine, has been a key national moment, bringing people and communities together, as well as an opportunity to support Ukrainian communities who have sought safety here in the UK. I’m proud of the part The National Lottery played in making this an inspiring and uplifting occasion and, thanks to National Lottery players and the hard work of the community groups we have funded, like La Salle Hotel School in Liverpool, the event will leave a strong legacy for communities long after the glitter and music has faded.”
National Lottery players raise over £30 million each week for good causes across the UK. In the last 12 months we have given out nearly £600 million to 12,500 organisations reaching every local authority and constituency in the UK.
To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk