- Area:
- West Midlands
- Programme:
- Reaching Communities
- Release date:
- 14 8 2012
Support for young carers, green spaces for older people and learning courses for mentally ill adults are amongst projects to share in a multi-million pound Lottery good cause announcement today.
Some nine projects today share £2.6m from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities which aims to help those most in need and build stronger communities.
John Taylor, Big Lottery Fund Head of West Midlands region, said: “It is an incredible day for the West Midlands, with more than £2.6m going to projects which will make a real difference to the lives of people facing various challenges across the region. I am really pleased that Big Lottery Fund money is continuing to have a huge impact in supporting projects that enable people to live happier and healthier lives.”
In the Black Country, Sandwell Young Carers receives £239,600 to identify and support children and young people aged five to 18 years of age whose health, education and social lives are adversely affected as a direct result of caring for a family member. The project will help young carers by providing educational support, counselling, peer mentoring, social activities and respite, as well as ensuring access to social care support.
YMCA Black Country Group receives £287,334 to support young people and young adults aged 16 to 35 with physical and mental health problems in West Bromwich. The project aims to improve people’s health and wellbeing by offering a health assessment and access to a 24-week health and well-being programme tailored to individual needs and interests. The programme will include cooking sessions, exercise classes, yoga, aromatherapy and healthy living workshops.
In Stoke, £339,136 will enable Stoke-on-Trent City Council to encourage more use of community green spaces by providing activities and facilities for disabled and older people, their families and carers. These will include cycling opportunities, accessible nature trails, sensory maps and nature-based creative writing, photography and art. This will improve their physical and mental health and reduce their isolation.
And Unity - Young People’s Project will use £275,127 to provide a programme of support, including creative activities and mentoring, to young people aged 13 to 17 in Stoke to encourage them to remain in education, increase attainment levels and improve skills. Longer term, this will help young people find sustainable employment or enter further education after leaving school.
Herefordshire Mind is awarded £290,994 to further develop an adult learning programme for people with mental health problems. The project helps individuals to move towards independence, meaningful activity and recovery through early intervention and access to courses, activities, individual support and guidance.
Meanwhile, Stoke Bliss and Kyre Village Hall in Tenbury Wells secures £286,875 to replace its old Victorian village hall with a new inclusive facility accessible to all, with better amenities for the very young through to the older members of the community. The project will offer a range of services and activities including parenting classes, yoga, a children's speech clinic, quiz nights and coffee mornings.
A grant of £323,624 will enable Rights and Fairness Telford to raise the aspirations, self-esteem and confidence of young people aged 15 to 24 who are facing challenges such as being out of work or education, living with a disability or feeling stigmatised or isolated. Activities will include coaching, volunteer placements and running community events to help young people tackle social issues and engage with the community and local employers.
And Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid receives £295,218 to support children and young people affected by domestic violence. Therapeutic support and play sessions, family support and shared activities and drop in sessions will all be offered. Finally, Malachi Community Trust is awarded £325,368 to refurbish the village hall so it can continue to offer services including parental groups, community activities, residential courses and drama, arts and dance training for young people.
Further Information
Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888
Out of hours media contact: 07867 500 572
Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Ask BIG a question here: https://ask.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Follow BIG on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BigLotteryFund #BIGlf
Find BIG on facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFund
Notes to Editors
- The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
- BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since June 2004 BIG has awarded over £4.4bn.
- The Fund was formally established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
- Since the National Lottery began in 1994, 28p from every pound spent by the public has gone to good causes. As a result, over £28 billion has now been raised and more than 383,000 grants awarded across arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.
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