In this issue:
Funding programmes open to your constituents
You can use our Funding Finder to search for funding programmes that are available for your constituents, while our grants search will allow you to find projects that have been funded in your constituency.
See a list of funding programmes open to your constituents
BIG Lottery funding in the East Midlands
In the past year the Big Lottery Fund awarded 708 grants totalling £21,033,669 to communities across the East Midlands. This includes 578 grants totalling £4,637,540 from the Awards for All programme and 41 grants totalling £10,920,556 from the Reaching Communities Programme.
We’re particularly proud to have supported 34 local veterans of World War Two to travel to the sites in which they saw action over 60 years ago, totalling £51,975.
Five rural communities have also shared in a total of £124,364 from the Village SOS programme, supporting rural social enterprise.
Post-Grant Sustainability - Using East Midlands volunteers to up-skill groups
At BIG, we aim to up-skill funded groups, to help create sustainable projects beyond their grant. With added confidence, they can promote their projects and shout about the good work that they do.
As part of this aim, in connection with registered charity, Media Trust, we arranged Nottingham’s first speed matching event. The event was to bring together BIG funded groups and media volunteers. The objective, to match professionals with VCS groups, to transfer their media knowledge and expertise.
The media professionals were on hand to volunteer advice on media liaison, social media and PR assistance to name a few. Others were willing to provide free studio time.
The BIG funded groups attended the evening session with various objectives in mind. Some were seeking promotional advice, simply, “to get the word out there”. Others were looking to develop the social enterprise aspect of their work, to create a viable, sustainable project, post funding.
One attendee commented, “Although we’re great at what we do, we’re not good at the marketing aspect.” Another sought tips and advice on media relations, “[it is] always a struggle to get the ‘good news’ stories out there.” She concluded, “It’s great that BIG Lottery Fund puts on events like this.”
The groups had 5 minutes to ‘pitch’ their project and 24 matches were subsequently made. Following the event, the emphasis was transferred to the VCS groups; giving them ownership of the relationship.
It was an inspiring event and great to witness the range of people willing to give their time, resources and skills to aid their local communities; creating fantastic opportunities for projects’ expansion and sustainability across the East Midlands.
All a buzz in Northamptonshire
Hive of Activity, Rockingham Forest Trust
In rural Northamptonshire, the bees are claiming back their air space, thanks to a fantastic project at Stanwick Lakes. The Hive of Activity project is taking part in the national drive to save the honey bee. Through a series of taster sessions and educational events volunteers will teach the next generation to value the extraordinary honey bee.
The Big Lottery Fund’s Award for All programme awarded £8,031 to the project run by Rockingham Trust. The money has increased the number of hives to ten, and financed decking to protect the apiary from flooding. It has trained the volunteers to take care of the hives, run community education projects and purchased bee-keeping suits to protect from the odd sting! Finally it has brought a transportable observation hive for outreach events.
Mick McGrath, Head of Region, Big Lottery Fund East Midlands commented on the project,
“It is inspiring to see a project that’s objective is to up-skill community volunteers, to transfer skills that can be taken on to other places. The project fits the Awards for All profile perfectly, supporting local education, health and the environment. Thank you to Rockingham Forest Trust for the great work they are doing”
The project’s aims are to help conserve the honey bee, to improve the local flora and improve the delicate habit around the lake, to further sustain and support local wildlife.
As for the future, the Hive of Activity project aims to become self-sustaining; generating revenue from the honey produced, and we at Big Lottery Fund can confirm, it is delicious!
How can we help you?
The regional team can arrange bespoke events for you and your constituents, from funding advice surgeries to constituency tours of lottery funded projects.
Also, every month we email all MPs with the details of awards that have been made in their constituencies.
To arrange a constituency tour or to find out how we can help support your constituents please contact us.
Further information
Contact: Mick McGrath, Head of the East Midlands Region
Email: mick.mcgrath@biglotteryfund.org.uk
Telephone: 0115 8722960