National Lottery grants support a healthier future for Welsh communities

One of the 57 groups in Wales celebrating a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund this month is the committee for Treowen Community Hall, in Newtown, Powys. They developed a plan to help their community get healthier by providing a new, multi-use games area to use. The committee is made up of volunteers from the estate and local area, and they were delighted to hear that they successfully applied for a grant of £99,360. Regina Buckley Robbins, the chairperson welcomed the award:

“It was great news that we have been successful in achieving the award to build a multi-use games area to replace the redundant, old tennis court at our Hall. It's going to bring free access and the opportunity to take part in various sporting activities to support the neighbourhood. Longer term this will give a chance to improve our health and well-being.

Treowen East is one of the wards Welsh Government consider as a deprivation area. We are enormously grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund and to those who play the National Lottery. As a small charity this sum of money is going to make a big difference to us, now we will be able to carry out the necessary work.''

Work will now begin to replace the redundant tennis court with a multi-use games area which will offer children and young people a safe and accessible play facility. The project is intended to reduce isolation and antisocial behaviour by increasing opportunities for socialisation and provide further opportunities for younger people in the area.

Cardiff based group to People and Work Unit has been awarded £99,940. They recognise how expensive sportswear can be and their project involves recycling sportswear collected from local communities and end of line clothing and equipment from sports companies. The clothes are then donated or re-sold at affordable prices. This will help removing barriers stopping people participating in sport by making sure they now have access to the appropriate kit. Any profits made will be re-invested into the community to support new activities targeting those in need.

In total 57 Communities in Wales are looking forward to their summer with a share of £722,115 from The National Lottery Community Fund this month, grants are made possible thanks to players of The National Lottery.

The third larger award made this month is £99,769 to Chinese in Wales Association to provide an advocacy, advice and information service to Chinese residents living in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend. The Association will undertake specialist casework for refugees, asylum seekers and their families, as well as victims of hate crime. Volunteers will access training opportunities to develop community engagement skills and work with organisations to enhance knowledge around supporting individuals with Chinese heritage.

You can find the full list here (this will take you to a Word document to download)