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 North East
In 2011, Big Lottery Fund made over 500 awards with a value of £20m in the North East region.
Reaching Communities in rural Durham
Teesdale Disability Access Forum in Barnard Castle, County Durham, recieved £155,000 from Reaching Communities in 2010, and is helping disabled people in a very rural area.
Teesdale is the fourth most sparsely populated area in the UK. As Chief Officer, Anne Henderson, explains, “ Teesdale is a wonderful place to live if you have a job, a car and your health. For those who are elderly or disabled, however, Teesdale is a very hard place to live in this economic climate.”
Supporting over 7,500 clients a year, all services are free and include a mobility equipment loan service, health library, activity club, exercise class for people with debilitating conditions, multi-sensory support service, and an incontinence support service.
One lady with significant disability attended the exercise and specialised biking sessions, and one month later was told by her consultant she could reduce her medication as her improvement had been so marked.
The mobility-aid loan service is unique as it is free of charge and people can borrow equipment that the NHS and Social Services are not even able to offer.
Anne explains, “The number of people accessing our service has risen because we have become an established, trusted organisation, and the only organisation offering such services for many miles around. Statutory agencies are now sending their patients to us as a matter of course.”
“2011 was amazing. With the funding we have secured the position of our Chief Officer for the next 5 years, meaning we can dedicate ourselves to running our much needed services.”
BIG funded Middlesbrough groups hit the headlines
An article in the Evening Gazette on 14 May stated that in the 10 years since My Sister’s Place opened in Middlesbrough, it has helped more than 4,000 women, delivering nearly 20,000 appointments for victims of domestic abuse.
Nationally, domestic abuse accounts for a fifth of all crime, but Middlesbrough has almost double average levels and referrals to My Sister’s Place are up 28 per cent.
The article explains that one of the most emotive issues in tackling domestic abuse is the impact on children. “A lot of women think that if he’s not touching the kids they’re not being harmed. That’s not true,” says Becky Rogerson, Director. “Being in an abusive environment is harmful and dangerous and the cycle of domestic abuse can continue if we don’t stop it and recognise it.”
Using £125,522 from Reaching Communities, the organisation will provide more frontline services and counselling.
You can find out more about the work of My Sister’s Place at www.mysistersplace.org.uk
Another article in the Gazette on 16 May, featured Women’s Support Network, also in Middlesbrough, and also funded through Reaching Communities, this time to the tune of £445 935. The organisation supports victims of rape and sexual abuse. It provides one-to-one services, including pre and post-trial counselling. Dilys Davy, Chief Executive said, “Without Lottery funding we wouldn’t be here. Last year we supported around 680 people, but that’s increasing all the time, in the last couple of months our figures have doubled”
Dilys adds, “It’s not just women we support. People think male sexual abuse doesn’t happen but 30% of our clients are male, many of whom suffered sexual abuse as a child.”
You can find out more about the work of Women’s Support Network at www.wsnsupport.org
WSN provides a safe comfortable place where clients can explore their feelings, allowing them to put sexual abuse behind them and move on with their lives.
How can we help you?
We regularly email MPs to provide details of awards that have been made in their constituencies. We offer our MPs visits to projects we have funded serving their constituency. We also actively encourage groups themselves to invite their local MP to project openings and celebrations. In areas where we have lower application rates we try to work with the local MP in promoting the funding opportunities available to groups in the area. Please contact us if you would like further details on how we can 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: James Turner, Head of North East Region
Telephone: 0191 376 1880
Email: james.turner@biglotteryfund.org.uk