Vulnerable and isolated people in Kingswood to receive more COVID-19 support thanks to £75,000 National Lottery grant

Vital access to help and support during COVID-19 for vulnerable and isolated people in Kingswood will continue, thanks to a National Lottery grant to local community hub Kingsmeadow @ Made Forever.

The charity was recently awarded over £75,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund - the largest funder of community activity in the UK - enabling it to keep operating and to find new ways to support local residents through this difficult time.

Kingsmeadow @ Made Forever works with some of the most vulnerable people in the local community, including those who are at risk of social isolation, those on low incomes and people in crisis. During the COVID-19 crisis, the centre has been closed to the general public and unable to deliver its usual group activities and drop-in sessions for local residents.

But thanks to National Lottery funding, the community hub has been able to keep delivering a range of services, including personalised emotional support packages, help with welfare and benefits, regular ‘check-in’ calls, vouchers for essential items and opportunities to join peer support groups during the crisis.

The good news of this funding was announced during Loneliness Awareness Week (15 – 19 June), an annual event to raise awareness of loneliness, break the stigma attached to it and encourage people to speak about the issue openly. It also follows new research* from the Office of National Statistics showing that more than 7 million people in Britain have suffered from ‘lockdown loneliness’.

“The people we support and from the community have told us that they are feeling lonely, isolated, very bored, struggling with their physical and emotional wellbeing and losing motivation,” said Catherine Sama, Chief Officer at Kingsmeadow @ Made Forever. “People are losing their jobs, struggling financially, dealing with debts and other complex issues.

“Many have asked us when we will reopen the centre, which is a safe haven for many local residents who struggle with anxiety, loneliness and social isolation – all of which have been made worse by COVID-19 and lockdown.

“This funding is absolutely vital for us. It will allow us to provide urgent and immediate support to anyone who needs it in our community – and it also has given us the space to start thinking about re-opening our community café and garden in a safe way.

“From everybody at the centre – from staff to volunteers to our local residents – we’d like to say a huge thank you to National Lottery players, the funding is a lifeline at this difficult time and we’re really grateful.”

More than £550,000 of National Lottery funding has gone to nearly 50 projects tackling loneliness and social isolation across the South West of England since the lockdown began.

Tom McCulloch, Head of Funding for the South West at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, we are able to fund thousands of projects working in many different ways to help reduce loneliness and isolation in the UK. As we all adapt to profound changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, tackling stigma around loneliness and making it okay to ask for help are more important than ever.

“Loneliness is affecting people from all walks of life while we are physically apart in these difficult times. The incredible groups we fund are a powerful force for good – supporting people to connect, reducing feelings of isolation and helping communities come together in new and inspiring ways.”

Going forward, The National Lottery Community Fund will continue to prioritise getting funding to groups best placed to support their communities at this vital time and also towards those seeking to rebuild as the crisis abates.

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes. Last year it awarded over half a billion pounds (£511.1 million) of life-changing funding to communities across the UK and supported over 12,000 projects to turn their great ideas into reality. 90% of the grants it makes are for under £10,000 – going to grassroots groups and charities across the UK that are bringing to life amazing ideas that matter to their communities.

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk