Thanks to National Lottery players over £21 million of funding distributed to South West communities since start of the pandemic

Charities and community groups across the South West of England have received more than £21 million in much-needed funding since the COVID-19 crisis and lockdown began* – all thanks to National Lottery players.

The money, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, has reached more than 500 community organisations across the region, funding activities ranging from online youth work to specialist support for children with disabilities, and their families.

Gympanzees is a Bristol-based social enterprise which works to ensure that children with disabilities have access to inclusive exercise, play and friendship. It has received £10,000 in National Lottery funding to set up a new project – ‘Our Home’ – where children with disabilities and their families can access a package of exercise and play videos, remote one-to-one support with a qualified therapist, and a ‘lending library’ of specialist play equipment during the COVID-19 crisis.

Stephanie Wheen, CEO and Founder at Gympanzees, said: “COVID-19 brings a multitude of extra difficulties and challenges for the children and families we support. But thanks to this National Lottery funding, we are able to bring a bit of the Gympanzees magic into the homes of our children and families.

“The project is providing virtual support, delivering specific and inclusive online content to care for families’ health and wellbeing, through play and exercise ideas and information - creating a virtual network and online community to reduce isolation for our families.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to National Lottery players, who have made it possible for us to continue with our work during this difficult time.”

At no cost to them, families will also be able to ‘rent’ specialist play and exercise equipment, such as sensory boxes and soft play equipment, which Gympanzees will deliver to the homes of the families they work with, following social distancing and hygiene advice at all times. Youth Genesis Trust, based in South Hams, Devon, is using its £8,000 grant to set up a new online support service for vulnerable young people in the local area.

The project involves a team of qualified youth workers and volunteers will deliver a range of support. Every weekday, young people will be able to speak to the youth workers via text message and a moderated ‘live chat’ on Facebook. Young people will also be invited to join virtual youth spaces once a week, where they will discuss their issues and focus on positive outcomes – alongside virtual activities such as cooking, crafts and music.

Jon Oliverio, Chief Executive Officer at Youth Genesis Trust, said: “Some of the young people we support face serious adversity. We know that some of them will be in lockdown in some challenging circumstances, especially those from low income families. They’re frustrated by not being able to go out, and have said that regular online activities would be a great way to stay connected and positive.

“We anticipate that over 150 young people will be supported, thanks to this grant from The National Lottery Community Fund. It’s a genuine lifeline for a lot of them – many are at risk of social isolation, which can then lead to other issues spiralling out of control.”

“We want to say a big thank you – from staff, volunteers and our young people – to National Lottery players, who make this vital work possible at this difficult time.”

The South West isn’t alone in benefiting from vital National Lottery funding. Today it was announced that £300 million has been distributed to over 7,400 community organisations across the UK since the COVID-19 crisis and lockdown began.

Grassroots groups, small local charities and UK-wide charities have been awarded this funding to enable them to continue their fantastic work supporting communities through these unprecedented times.

Almost 20% of this life-changing money (£53 million) has gone to micro (annual income of less than £10,000**) and small groups (income between £10,000 and £100,000**) and a further £120 million to medium-sized organisations (income between £100,000 and £1 million**), as communities rally to recover from the impacts of the crisis.

Tom McCulloch, Head of Funding for the South West at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Money raised by National Lottery players has been vital in helping people and communities across the South West support each other through the pandemic. Volunteers and charity workers have played an incredible role in keeping people safe, supported and connected. Over the coming months National Lottery funding will continue to bring people and communities together to build solutions and recover from the crisis.”

Thanks to National Lottery players, £30 million is raised every week for the UK’s good causes, and £41 billion has been distributed to 565,000 good causes across the UK since 1994.

In addition, since May, The National Lottery Community Fund has been responsible for distributing £200 million in coronavirus community support on behalf of the Government. This funding closes to applications on 17^th August.

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