30 November 1998

Charities Board awards over £5m today

Communities across Wales benefit to the tune of £5,256,000 awarded by the National Lottery Charities Board today. In all 51 voluntary or charitable organisations have been awarded grants for projects ranging from rebuilding community centres to communicating through talking newspapers. Grants awarded include £124,000 to Contact a Family, an organisation that links families with disabled children to promote mutual support and self-help. The network of volunteers in Wales, who have sustained the service until now, welcomed this opportunity to set up a Wales office in order to provide wider access.

The largest grant of £294,218 has been awarded to the Torfaen People’s Centre to fund refurbishment, running costs and salaries which will allow the community centre to meet the increasing demands for its services and facilities. The second-largest grant of £279,000 goes to the umbrella group for the voluntary sector, the Wales Council for Voluntary Action. The money will be used to establish an information and support office near the new National Assembly building in Cardiff. This initiative will provide a focused information point for Assembly Members and staff and promote a greater understanding of the needs of voluntary groups across Wales.

The Crest Co-operative in Rhyl, which provides training and work experience for young disabled and disadvantaged people, is awarded £273,000 for refurbishment, equipment, salaries and running costs over a three year period. Ogwr Talking Newspaper Association is awarded £20,000 to replace and improve recording and production equipment which has been subjected to heavy continuous use.

Tom Jones, Chair of the Charities Board in Wales said, "I feel privileged to announce these grants today, featuring exciting and very worthwhile projects. The voluntary sector makes an important contribution to the quality of life in our communities with action taken by dedicated voluntary or charitable groups on a local level. The Charities Board in Wales has awarded over £5 million today which in community value translates into many new buildings and services and significant improvement to the quality of life of a range of disadvantaged individuals. The Board faces the difficult task of assessing the applications and the ultimate pleasure of announcing the awards but it is the groups themselves who deserve all the credit for their vision and perseverance in driving these projects forward."

Roy Norris, Director of the Charities Board in Wales said, "This announcement of Community involvement grants has illustrated the many ‘communities’ we have in Wales. Communities in villages, towns and districts are strengthened by good community facilities. Other communities are formed by the physically isolated who form support networks of similarly disadvantaged people across Wales. The Community involvement programme is on-going, together with our newly launched Poverty and disadvantage programme. Although there is no deadline for applications, we are urging groups hoping to have projects running by the summer of 1999 to submit their applications by the end of January."

Groups seeking application forms or further information should call 0345 273273.