Message from Dawn Austwick, CEO, The National Lottery Community Fund: COVID-19

We recognise that many charities and community organisations across the UK will face increased challenges as a result of COVID-19. We want to support those we fund as far as is possible at this difficult time.

We are advising all those we work with to keep a close eye on any developments and to follow advice from the relevant health authorities, if considering whether to postpone activities.

You may find this link to the NHS website helpful in guiding your response.

At present all our offices remain open and our teams are working as usual. We recognise that this could change, but with all our teams now able to work remotely we hope that any changes would not significantly impact our ability to continue to deliver our services to applicants, grant holders and communities across the UK.

As well as a time of increased pressure, this is also a time to show the best of our community spirit and neighbourliness.

Thinking about how we can support each other, being kind and offering leadership in difficult times can really help everyone and as we know are the enduring hallmarks of our precious civil society. We will try to reflect these values in our own response.