Charities Board awards grants to 68 groups in Wales

The National Lottery Charities Board has awarded a total of £196,641 under the ‘Small grants’ scheme to 68 groups in Wales. The grants announced today range from £500 to £5,000 and, across Wales, pensioners’ and community groups feature prominently.

Groups that help the disadvantaged will also receive funding such as the Pembroke Hearing Voices Group concerned with mental health, which receives £2,461, the Brecon Unemployed Self Help Association which receives £2,049 and the Welsh Hard of Hearing Rally Committee which receives £4,611 to fund an all-Wales weekend festival for the hard of hearing and their families.

Tom Jones, Chairman of the Board in Wales said, "I am delighted to announce a further 68 groups in Wales have been awarded grants under the latest Small grants scheme. Although the scheme is known as ‘Small grants’, the positive impact on voluntary sector organisations in Wales has been great. Through the Small grants scheme the Charities Board can help and accelerate the development potential of the groups by offering funds for elements such as equipment, training, publicity, feasibility studies, events, volunteer expenses, building repair, education and seminars.This scheme brings money directly to the grassroots of communities all across Wales and the total awarded under the Small grants scheme to date in Wales is £1.9 million to 813 groups."

The programme’s popularity and success is highlighted by the fact that since starting as a pilot in Wales it will be introduced all across the UK.

Wales Director Roy Norris said, "The Small grants are ideally suited to Wales’ active voluntary groups, since they offer groups with an income of less than £10,000 the funding they need for their work. We are reassured by the quality of the applications which is leading to a one-in-two success rate for applications for Small grants. The Board is continuing to reach out to groups which haven’t yet made applications or which have been unsuccessful, by offering training seminars throughout Wales. We welcome anyone who needs further information to contact us on tel: 0345 273273."