BIG help to raise health awareness and support for victims of domestic violence

Area:

Wales

Programme:

Awards for All Wales

Release date:

16 10 2012

Groups raising awareness about rare health conditions through engaging public events and a project supporting victims of domestic abuse are among those sharing in the latest round of National Lottery funding.

A total of 44 community-based projects across Wales are sharing £178,347 awarded under the latest round of the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All small grants programme. (Full list of awards at the end of the release. Please contact Ben Payne to obtain full project descriptions).

Awards for All funding of £4,375 will bring The Arthrogryposis Group to Wales for the first time, raising awareness of the rare condition. People with Arthrogryposis multiplex congenital are born with curved joints in several areas of the body. The condition is very diverse and can affect each individual in a different way. The funding will stage a Big Welsh Meet in Wales which will be helping to raise awareness of the condition and the treatments available.

The event will encourage individuals and families affected by arthrogryposis to share experiences and gain information. This support will enable them to share first hand experiences on living and coping with the condition.

The group will also help train volunteers to act as counsellors to provide additional support for families affected by the condition.

Jacqui Marr, National Contact Officer, The Arthrogryposis Group, said:  “It also allows us to host a series of volunteer befriending workshops that aim to pass on practical tips and give Welsh members the necessary skills to support other people seeking advice and information on arthrogryposis.”

The Pernicious Anaemia Society in Neath Port Talbot is another group raising health awareness this month. The project has been awarded £5,000. Pernicious Anaemia is a condition in which the body is unable to absorb vitamin B12 into the body.

The society provides information and support for sufferers, families and friends and the funding will be used to create a series of events to raise awareness about the condition that affects everyday lives. Events will also engage with health professionals to trial a new approach to treating the condition.

To increase domestic abuse awareness, Pontypridd Women’s Aid has been awarded £4,546 to provide Domestic Abuse Recovery Toolkit training for victims to increase the support for women affected by domestic abuse.

Finance manager Moira Jones said: “The Recovery Toolkit uses a psycho educational model believing that by giving individuals knowledge it enables them to better understand and deal with their previous experiences. The individual’s own strengths, resources and coping skills are reinforced contributing to their own health and wellness on a long term basis.”

The Domestic Abuse Recovery Toolkit will be run by Sue Penna Associates and will include training in developing personal confidence and self awareness.

The mid Wales branch of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) in Aberystwyth has received an Awards for All grant of £2,500. This funding will be used to increase the information and training available for people who ride motorcycles. MAG will engage with the public through road shows, training days and literature all delivered by volunteers.

It will also ensure that the public understand the benefits of the safe use of their machines, through improved training, safety and awareness.

Ian Williamson, of MAG, said: “The grant will allow MAG to assist those who are disadvantaged or from minority groupsto take the first steps onto the ladder of becoming independent in terms of transport, and also show people that powered two wheeled transportcan be environmentally friendly and cheap.”

The Swansea Bay LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Unity Project has received £5,000 to run a befriending project in Swansea. This project will be offering a befriending service for over 55 year olds to engage with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Also increasing services for the older generation is Conwy Care and Repair, they have received funding of £4,477 to create an Information Share project.

The funding will enable the sharing of resources with the public, third sector and agency organisations to raise awareness on products and services. And it will also be providing older people with information bags which will improve their lives and safety enabling them to continue living in their own homes independently.

Eirian James, development officer, Conwy Care and Repair, said: “It is hoped that through this project people will be less likely to fall victim to scams and falls by being better informed on the risks.”

Other projects improving community awareness include Pentre Mawr Residents Association’s reading project which was awarded £2,326. This funding will enable children to improve their reading skills in return for teaching new digital technology skills to the residents. Cillgerran Walkers Are Welcome group in Pembrokeshire also received funding of £4,850 to produce a bilingual booklet of walks in the surrounding area. This is hoped to raise awareness and community knowledge of the local area while also attracting tourists.

Gareth Williams, Awards for All Programme Manager for BIG in Wales, said: “Awards for All is having a positive impact throughout Wales. Money is helping to establish groups, societies and clubs, promoting learning, increasing volunteering opportunities and helping to build stronger communities.”

Application forms are available to download in English and Welsh from www.awardsforall.org.uk or by phone on 0845 4 10 20 30.

Full list of awards

Further Information:

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 02920 678 224

Out of Hours Contact: 07500 951 707

Public Enquiries Line: 0845 4 10 20 30

Textphone: 0845 6021 659

Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

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