The National Lottery Community Fund Wales appoints new members

The National Lottery Community Fund, the UK’s largest funder of community activity, has today announced the appointment of Dr Victoria Winckler and Callum Bruce-Phillips to its Wales Committee.

Dr Victoria Winckler has been the Director of the Bevan Foundation since 2002. For the last 40 years she has worked at a senior level in the third sector, local government, and higher education, giving her a deep understanding of Wales’ political, social and cultural context.

Callum is the Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator at Amgueddfa Cymru and sits on the Board of Directors of Mess Up The Mess Theatre Company Ltd. He joins our Wales Committee as part of our Youth Voice programme, a commitment to ensuring that young people’s voices are included in all our work.

Dr Simone Lowthe-Thomas, Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund Wales Committee, said: “I am pleased to welcome both Victoria and Callum to join our Wales Committee. Victoria brings a wealth of experience – particularly of the voluntary and community sector in Wales. Callum brings a vitally important perspective to ensuring that young people’s voices are included in all our work. Last year saw £36.8 million distributed in 1,005 grants across Wales, all thanks to funding raised by National Lottery players.”

Remarking on her appointment Victoria said: “The Fund’s approach as set out in It Starts with Community, and how it is responding to need within communities, is invaluable.”

“If we look externally, I think we’ve got some really tough times ahead – we’re still in a cost of living crisis, we’ve got changes to technology bringing massive changes to people’s jobs, we’ve got a climate emergency as well – and in uncertain times, what really matters is family and community.”

On his appointment Callum said: “It’s a privilege and honour to be part of the Fund’s Youth Programme and I am looking forward to helping to help shape future funding programmes to respond to the need of young people across Wales.”

The Wales Committee helps decide on The National Lottery Community Fund’s strategic direction in Wales, and sits as the ‘Supporting Great Ideas’ funding panel.

Victoria replaces outgoing committee member Nicola Russell-Brooks, who completed her seven-year term of dedicated service with the Wales Committee early in 2025.

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