Lottery award means the kids are alright

Area:

East of England

Programme:

Reaching Communities

Release date:

20 2 2007

Smart Kids OK, has been awarded £298,635 to continue for the next five years an evening, weekend and holiday scheme for autistic children in Great Yarmouth and Waveney. The project, run by The Autistic Way, offers the children a chance to develop social, physical and communication skills through a range of psychological and physical activities. Sessions take place at a specially designed centre that provides a stimulating environment through a range of interactive and sensory play equipment.

Jacky Porter, Manager, The Autistic Way, said: “To me this means the end of a difficult financial time and the beginning of a stable, successful, fantastic new era, the award has secured our future with 75% of running costs at least for the next five years. This funding means so much to all the staff because not only do we care for the children and young people in this facility, we also extend support to families, sharing their problems and giving them support.

“Most of our children need one-to-one support which is expensive, so this money will enable us to keep open and not face the prospect of closure. For the past two years funding has been problematic, now we will be able to employ more staff, open more sessions, allow more children to attend and give more parents and carers a much needed break, whilst ensuring their children are being cared for in a happy, safe and secure environment.”

Another of the region’s groups celebrating today is Suffolk Artlink, who received a £76,945 grant for its Open Doors programme, giving adults with learning difficulties an opportunity to get involved with the arts. The project, based in Halesworth, specifically targets people across Suffolk who are interested in improving creative skills and working within the creative industries. The programme is delivered in partnership with Suffolk County Council Adult and Community Learning, the Open College Network, employment services and arts sector employers.

Chris Warner, Director, Suffolk Artlink, said: “Everyone at Artlink is thrilled and delighted with this award that will help us make a real difference to the quality of life of some of Suffolk’s most vulnerable people. Open Doors will offer a progression of opportunities for adults aged over 19 years old, with mild or moderate learning difficulties. They will learn about working in the arts through a series of taster days, a short course, a 30 week accredited arts training programme and a fulfilling work experience.

“Participants will complete a personal learning plan for a training programme which includes literacy, numeracy, life skills, creative skills, social skills, confidence, team building, self esteem and independence skills and work experience within the creative industries.“

The Magdalen Community Association has also received £40,221 to create a better sense of community in the rurally isolated Magdalen estate near Gorleston. The two year grant will employ a full time community link officer to help local people and organisations get across a range of issues and concerns, such as road traffic, play areas, anti-social behaviour and environmental health projects. A number of community pride events will also be organised, a community website will be developed and documentaries about the area will be made by local children.

Sara Betsworth, Big Lottery Fund Head of Region for the East of England, said: “These latest awards in East Anglia are amongst £1.5 million announced across the East of England today, to fund vital projects that reach out to some of the region’s most vulnerable groups. Whether it’s helping autistic children or creating job opportunities for adults with learning difficulties, these kinds of projects are essential in helping those facing disadvantage lead a better quality of life.”

Further information

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888
Out of hours contact: 07867 500 572
Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030
Textphone:  0845 6021 659
Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Notes to Editors

• Reaching Communities is part of the Big Lottery Fund’s portfolio of new programmes. Following an intense and comprehensive process of consultation with stakeholders and the general public over the last year, the Fund has undertaken to distribute 60-70% of its funding to the third sector.  At least one-third of BIG funding will be demand-led and lightly prescribed.  In England, this will amount to at least £600 million over the period 2005-2009. This commitment will be met from a variety of funding streams, including, Reaching Communities, Awards for All, part of the Young People’s Fund, Community Buildings, Advice Services and the People’s Millions.
• The Big Lottery Fund rolls out close to £2 million in lottery good cause money every 24 hours which together with other Lottery distributors means that across the UK most people are within a few miles of a Lottery-funded project.
• The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004.
• On 1 December 2006 the Big Lottery Fund was officially established by Parliament and at the same time assumed the residual responsibilities of the dissolved National Lottery Charities Board (Community Fund) the New Opportunities Fund, and the Millennium Commission. The Fund is building on the experience and best practice of the merged bodies to simplify funding in those areas where they overlap and to ensure Lottery funding provides the best possible value for money.

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