- Area:
- West Midlands
- Programme:
- Reaching Communities
- Release date:
- 14 2 2012
Vulnerable young people in Birmingham and Worcestershire and families in crisis in Coventry are all to benefit from a National Lottery good cause roll out.
Around £885k is being awarded to three projects in the West Midlands today from the Big Lottery Fund’s flagship Reaching Communities programme, which aims to help those most in need and build stronger communities.
Sport 4 Life UK is awarded £289,768 to develop a sports orientated programme to engage young people from Ladywood in Birmingham in positive community activities, educational workshops and learning challenges. The aim of the project is to improve the behaviour, attitudes and life skills of those involved. There will be a number of activities such as sports coaching for young people to take part in to develop interpersonal skills, team work and commitment.
James Forrest, Manager, said: “The grant from the Big Lottery Fund will enable our charity to work with 450 underprivileged young people from the inner city ward of Ladywood in Birmingham over the next five years. We will be able to support them to gain qualifications, to improve their behaviour and attitudes, and to work collectively to build a stronger community, and we are confident the funding will have a long-lasting positive impact on the lives of those involved.”
The project will run educational workshops using drama, music and games to address positive choices and critical thinking skills. These workshops will also invite expert partners such as local drug action teams, the police and sexual health services to provide specialist advice and knowledge to reduce risk taking behaviours. The project will also help young people get back into education or into employment by developing a volunteering programme, giving them the chance to organise their own community events and offering various qualifications.
Elgar Housing Association receives £267,800 to further develop the South Worcestershire Nightstop project which provides emergency accommodation for homeless young people in South Worcestershire, and tackles the causes of homelessness amongst the 16 to 25s.
‘Crash pad’ accommodation of up to eight weeks will now be provided in a fully trained volunteer host's home, together with the chance for young people to talk through their problems in a supportive environment. A mediation service will also be run between young people and their families to help resolve conflict and rebuild the relationship so young people can return to the family home.
To hear what a difference Nightstop is making to young people’s lives, listen to Lucy’s story:
And finally, Church of England Children's Society receives £327,800 to improve the quality of life for vulnerable families in Birmingham and Coventry through providing essentials such as food, clothing and shelter, as well as carefully tailored support and advice. There will be a befriending scheme for parents and additional support for children so they can talk about their own feelings and needs.
John Taylor, Big Lottery Fund Head of region for the West Midlands, said: “Today’s grants to projects in the West Midlands will help to improve the lives of people facing multiple challenges and give them the chance to move forwards in a positive direction.”
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 46% 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 £27 billion has now been raised and more than 370,000 grants awarded across arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.
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