|
[General Info] [Media] [Contact] [Links] [Help] [Previous] |
26 March 1998 National Lottery Charities Board awards £21 million to charities supporting older peopleThe National Lottery Charities Board has announced that it is awarding over £21 million to organisations which help older people. The money has been awarded as part of the latest grant announcement by the Charities Board. A total of £100 million has been awarded in 1,002 grants in England as part of the National Lottery Charities Board’s fifth grants programme, Improving people's living environment and Voluntary sector development. Janet Paraskeva, National Lottery Charities Board Director for England, comments: ‘The number of older people continues to grow. Many prefer to continue living in their own homes and can only do so with the help and support of volunteer organisations. These grants will enable a broad range of organisations to provide advice or practical assistance to older people.’Stella Clarke, Chair of the England grant making committee, welcomed 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 for disadvantaged people in local communities.’ Nineteen Age Concern groups throughout the UK receive over £2 million for projects to care for older people, particularly in relation to security and safety in their homes. For example, Age Concern, Wigan receives £410,631 to provide a home energy and safety audit service to people who live in isolated areas as well as advice and practical support to ensure their homes are secure, warm and safe. Many older people want to continue to live in their own homes but are unable to maintain their properties. The Anchor Trust assists with making repairs to homes to prevent any serious long term decline. The £370,000 award wil help expand the Trust’s services in North Cornwall, St Albans and Bradford. Similarly, the Orbit Housing Association, in Bosworth will use its award of £297,205 to fund a project to provide a home repair scheme for older people. To interview grant recipients or to speak to Janet Paraskeva or Stella Clarke, telephone the press office on 0171 747 5200. |