Four grants, four surprises, as dreams come true in 61 communities across Wales

Many people daydream about winning the National Lottery but imagine how you would feel receiving a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund for your community? This month, grants totalling nearly £3 million have been awarded in Wales. Staff from the Fund decided to surprise four community groups with the news that their applications had been successful. Watch their delighted reactions

£499,220 was awarded to Y Dref Wredd, Blaenau Ffestiniog to create a community centre. Project Manager, Gwydion ap Wynn was filmed with some volunteers. They thought they were being interviewed about the Fund’s application process but discovered their grant had been successful. The film shows Gwydion so surprised and delighted that he can hardly speak until eventually tearing off his work gloves, throwing them on the floor and announcing they are going to the pub to celebrate!

Monica Frackowiak of the Polish Integration Support Centre in Wrexham was so moved to learn that they had been successful in obtaining £9,900 that she cried with happiness. She can be heard in the film saying “I’m glad I didn’t put my makeup on.” The money will be used to set up a base for the charity and provide anti bullying workshops to Polish children and adults.

Men’s Sheds Rhyl gathered a big group including the local Police Community Support Office (PCSO) who all clapped and cheered when they heard they had been awarded £90,582 to create groups and activities for Women and Kids in their new Centre.

Finally, Splott Community Volunteers were so delighted that they started hugging each other and our Funding Officer. They were delighted to learn that they had secured a grant of £10,000 to buy their refrigerated, delivery van to take food to the breakfast clubs that they run for homeless people and refugees.

Grants of nearly half a million pounds were also welcomed by Your Space in Wrexham, and Ponthafren in Newtown. Overall, nearly three million pounds has been distributed across Wales this month between 62 organisations, with grants totalling £2,979,632. The grants are made possible thanks to players of the National Lottery and you can see the full list of communities with awards this month here.

You can see five more of the wonderful projects in Wales funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. Follow this link and up until 14 April you can see films about and vote for one of five projects through The People’s Projects. They could win £50,000 so your vote really counts.

Date published: 4 April, 2019
Region: Wales

Notes to Editors

Notes to Editors

£499,220 Y Dref Werdd will establish a centre in Blaenau Ffestiniog that will provide convenient access for the community, particularly those that are vulnerable, to the services that will enable them to overcome problems such as health and wellbeing, poverty and employment skills. The local environment and habitats will also be improved, with the local community gaining an understanding about their importance, learning new skills and taking advantage of volunteering opportunities. 3,000 people will take part in activities over a four year period.

Polish Integration Support Centre CIC in Wrexham will secure a base for the charity, to enable the community to access their services and provide sustainability for the orgarnisation. They will provide bilingual and resilience workshops to children and adults from the Polish community to help combat bullying. £9,990 will fund office rent, insurance, office supplies and workshops.

The grant of £90,582 will support the development of Rhyl Men's Shed, Rhyl Women's Shed and will pilot a Kid's Shed. The Shed's provide activities to reduce isolation, increase wellbeing as well as undertaking community benefit projects. New activities include training volunteers to become community champions to engage and consult with those who are hardest to reach. The Kid's Shed will provide activities to learn skills, reduce anti-social behaviour, will work with those at risk of offending and exclusion.

Splott Community Volunteers in Cardiff will purchase a refrigerated van to transport food donations to the breakfast clubs they host for the community, which aim to meet the needs of the homeless, asylum seekers and refugees, people who are isolated, and low income families. £10,000 will fund a refrigerated van.

Photos are available, for further details please contact me: Joanna.maurice@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

National Lottery Awards for All Wales

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