26 March 1998

National Lottery Charities Board invests £29 million to help develop the Voluntary Sector

The National Lottery Charities Board today announced that it has provided £29 million to 247 projects to improve the infrastructure of the voluntary sector across England.

These grants are part of the National Lottery Charities Board’s fifth awards programme under the themes of Improving people's living environment and Voluntary sector development. A total of £100 million has been awarded to 1002 charities and community groups in England.

Janet Paraskeva, National Lottery Charities Board director for England, commented: ‘The grants will help develop services for voluntary and community organisations to make them more effective. Many offer resources and training to new groups so that they can provide a better service to their members. They also offer an opportunity to share the great amount of expertise built up in the voluntary sector in many different areas.’

Stella Clarke, Chair of the England grant making committee, welcomed all the grants: ‘This is good news for the voluntary sector and for thousands of people and communities in England. I am delighted that we have been able to award grants to so many excellent projects and I am particularly pleased that we have again made many grants which will improve the quality of life in local communities.’

The British Refugee Council has been awarded £187,236 to strengthen links between national and local refugee organisations. The Genetic Interests Group will be able to develop small organisations which help sufferers of many different genetic disorders with their grant of £130,100.

Smaller grants can also develop the local voluntary sector. The Council for Voluntary Service for Melton Borough will use their grant of £9,840 to work with Rutland and Melton Employment Corsortium Limited and Melton Volunteer Bureau Together they will refurbish a new centre providing a one stop shop and community development service to voluntary and charitable groups in Melton Mowbray in the East Midlands.

To interview grant recipients or to speak to Janet Paraskeva or Stella Clarke, telephone the press office on 0171 747 5200.