2 June 1998

Small but precious as grants reach £2m

On 2 June the National Lottery Charities Board announced the latest Small grants awards in Wales which brings the total awarded to small voluntary groups in Wales to over £2m. A total of £2,053,447 has now been awarded to 867 groups under the Small grants programme which allows voluntary groups with an annual income of less than £10,000 to apply for grants of between £500 and £5,000.

Across Wales, 54 groups have been awarded a total of £143,665 in the latest Small grants round. Successful groups include the All Wales Play Forum awarded £3,130 for a mass summer camp for members and the children and young people with whom they work; Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital Radio awarded £3,200 to purchase equipment to record and broadcast outside events; and the Get Going Gang in Welshpool awarded £3,300 for a safe play scheme during the summer holiday.

"This is a significant milestone for the Charities Board in Wales," said the Chairman, Tom Jones. "Our own experience with the small grants mirrors the experience of many small voluntary groups across Wales. These groups see the needs in their communities and identify projects that will help meet those needs. On a strategic level the Charities Board in Wales consulted the voluntary sector and identified the need for a fast-track grants programme to address projects undertaken by smaller groups. Therefore, to complement our more substantial grant programmes, we introduced the Small grants programme in June 1996. Two years on we are proud to announce that over £2m has been awarded under the programme to 867 groups in Wales. Furthermore, due to the great response and the quality of the projects undertaken, the Small grants programme which was piloted in Wales will now be introduced to the rest of the UK."

The Charities Board Wales Director, Roy Norris added, "The significance of this programme can only ultimately be measured by the benefits it has brought to communities and the disadvantaged. The simplicity of the application form has helped a great range of projects to go ahead. Many have addressed common community needs such as equipment and activities for playgroups, youth groups, disabled people or senior citizens groups. Others have concentrated on upgrading facilities at community centres and improving access. Several groups have seized the opportunity to embrace new technology for example to produce newsletters or improve the administration and database maintenance. Other projects have been unique, such as a garden tools lending project or an awareness video production. In fact our research shows us that the programme has been so successful that there is now support in the voluntary sector for an expanded Small grants programme - a demand which is currently being reviewed and addressed."

Since October 1995, the National Lottery Charities Board, through its various grant programmes has awarded over £47 million to 1,482 groups in Wales.

Groups requiring further information in either Welsh or English can contact the enquiries line on tel: 0345 273273.