27 November 1996

National Lottery Charities Board launches new grants round

The National Lottery Charities Board today launched its new grants round to support charities and voluntary groups under the themes of New opportunities and choices and Voluntary sector development. All charitable, philanthropic and benevolent groups are eligible to apply.

Under the theme of New opportunities and choices, the Board aims to fund projects which extend non-formal learning and volunteering opportunities to people of all ages and disadvantaged groups. It will support initiatives including pre-school playgroups, parent support groups, after-school projects, volunteering projects for young people and learning opportunities for older adults. It will also support projects which promote self-help, community regeneration and enterprise through learning opportunities.

Under the theme of Voluntary sector development, the Board aims to fund umbrella bodies, development agencies and resource centres supplying services to other voluntary or community organisations.

Launching the programme, David Sieff, Chairman of the Board, explained: 'Our main aim is to make grants to help meet the needs of those at greatest disadvantage in society and to improve the quality of life in the community. By supporting projects which increase people's opportunities and help voluntary and community groups achieve more we hope our grants will have a significant impact on disadvantaged communities. We will especially welcome bids from groups which encourage people, including the young, to volunteer to help others.'

Charities and voluntary groups who want to find out more should telephone 0345 919191 (textphone 0345 556656) for a guide. Groups requiring a Welsh/English bilingual guide should telephone 0345 273273 (Welsh language textphone 01686 610205).

The application line for this grants round opens on 20 January 1997. Application forms can be obtained by telephoning 0345 919191 (textphone 0345 556656). Groups requiring an application form in Welsh should contact 0345 273273 (Welsh language textphone 01686 610205).

The last date for requesting an application form is 7 March 1997 and forms must be returned to the Board by 4 April 1997. The grants will be announced in summer 1997.