The public has decided! Three Welsh communities win up to £50,000 of National Lottery money after crucial vote.

Three local community groups in Wales have won a public vote to secure up to £50,000 of National Lottery funding as part of this year’s The People’s Projects. The money was awarded after Starlings Aberystwyth, Dal Dy Dir in Powys, and Keep Wales Tidy in Swansea and Rhondda Cynon Taf, won the public.

The projects were three of five groups in Wales to compete for a share of a life changing £3 million. Each of the groups had their projects featured on prime time TV, giving the public a chance to see their fantastic work and then make the tough choice of where the money should go.

Dal Dy Dir will work with their volunteers to create a small working farm in Powys, where people can access training and self-employment opportunities. The project will involve developing a small woodland, paddocks and cottages into a space where people can try out and develop new skills. The group will then provide support in accessing employment. The project will be open to all but with a specific focus on working with people with disabilities and those who face marginalisation.

Keep Wales Tidy will work with local volunteers to transform disused and unloved areas on hospital grounds into vibrant green spaces. They will work with three hospitals throughout South Wales to create gardens with seating and flower beds, for patients, health care workers and visitors. The project will create openly accessible spaces which will be used for relaxation, socialisation and rehabilitation, whilst increasing the biodiversity of the hospital environment.

Starlings Aberystwyth will run a fully inclusive community cycling project based in and around Aberystwyth. The group will work with people with mental health issues, physical health issues and disabilities by providing a variety of bikes including hand cycles, tandems and trikes. Access to fun outdoor exercise will create new opportunities for the participants to improve their health and socialise.

The People’s Projects is a partnership between The National Lottery Community Fund, The National Lottery and ITV. Since 2005 it has given the public a unique say in how National Lottery money should be put to good use in their local area.

John Rose, Wales Director at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “The People’s Projects highlights the fantastic things communities are doing across the UK to enable people to thrive. In every village, town and city, local groups are working together to turn great ideas into reality and deliver the change people want to see in their area.

“We’re really excited to see this year’s winners use National Lottery funding to strengthen their local community and support people to lead happier and healthier lives.”

The People’s Projects has awarded around £45 million to over 1,000 good causes across the UK since it started in 2005.