Kettering community group no longer needs to ‘Picture the Difference’ of National Lottery funding, thanks to £300,000 boost

A Kettering community group no longer needs to ‘Picture the Difference’ National Lottery funding would make after being awarded more than £300,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.

Thanks to National Lottery players, Picture the Difference C.I.C can now provide creative leadership opportunities to young people and adults who have additional needs. Set up by an ex-drama teacher, the group supports people with additional needs, such as autism, physical disabilities and sensory impairments, by providing them with a space where they can train and take up paid opportunities within the performing arts sector.

With this funding boost, Picture the Difference will expand and support people to develop skills such as filmmaking, song writing, dancing.

It is just one of 24 charities and community groups in Northamptonshire to receive more than £1.5 million of National Lottery funding in the past quarter*, supporting them as they seek to overcome social and economic challenges raised by the pandemic. The county isn’t alone in benefiting from National Lottery funding. Today it was announced that £65 million has been awarded to 1,700 community organisations across England in the past three months*.

Difference who has benefitted from its support. He said: “Picture the Difference has helped me in a lot of ways. I have learnt how to write a script, how to sing, cook, and, more recently, train to become an Arts Leader. Thanks to the support from National Lottery players, the group has helped me to improve my social skills and take up new exciting opportunities.

“I feel so happy that I have had a chance to make new friends and that I now meet up with outside of the project. Since joining Picture the Difference I have had a lot of support, especially during difficult times in the pandemic. We’re a big team that works and motivates each other to reach and achieve our goals. I really feel grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund.”

Zoe Martin, Founder and Creative Director for Picture the Difference, added: “As an ex-drama teacher, I found that performing arts and creative groups weren’t accessible for young people and adults with additional needs. That’s when I set up Picture the Difference in 2016. Thanks to National Lottery players, we’ve been able to create a space that prides itself in providing people with a place that allows them to participate and provide them with a purpose.

“The funding has allowed us to extend past just being a performing arts group, but we’re able to offer leadership training that leads to paid employment within the group. It’s exciting to be able to offer experiences and career opportunities to those who otherwise would not be able to access them.”

Claire Jopling, Senior Head of Funding for the Midlands at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this vital funding is having a huge impact on people’s lives across the East Midlands. It’s so inspiring to see dedicated volunteers and groups, like Picture the Difference C.I.C, supporting their communities to prosper and thrive. This funding has given a much-needed cash boost to communities, so they can build back stronger from the pandemic.”

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes. Thanks to National Lottery players, last year we awarded over half a billion pounds (£588.2 million) of life-changing funding to communities across the UK. Over eight in ten (83%) of our grants 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