17 December 1999

Christmas Issues to formulate New Year’s Resolution

Tom Jones, outgoing Chair of the Charities Board in Wales, is urging voluntary and community groups particularly in the most disadvantaged areas to make a New Year’s resolution to turn to the Charities Board for help by calling 0845 7273273. "Often issues of disadvantage in our community are highlighted during the Christmas period. These issues include poverty, loneliness, lack of access to transport and exclusion from the events and activities many of us take for granted. The Charities Board’s task is to give grants to help meet the needs of those at greatest disadvantage in society and to improve the quality of life in the community so it is right for us to reflect at Christmas time how much further we still have to go."

In total, since October 1995, the National Lottery Charities Board has awarded 2,408 grants amounting to over £83 million. In cash terms, £83 million, as an additional independent funding source for voluntary activity, has made a significant contribution to improve the life of the disadvantaged and strengthen communities. However, what sets the achievement to date into perspective is that there are an estimated 25,000 voluntary and charitable groups in Wales. The Charities Board is constantly striving to make sure that as many groups as possible know about its grants. Today, the Charities Board is placing a special emphasis on urging groups in the most disadvantaged areas of Wales to come forward and apply for grants."

Tom Jones said: "Groups in the most seriously disadvantaged areas are often the most hesitant in making grant applications and so I wish to send out a strong message to these communities this New Year. The name ‘Charities Board’ may make us sound slightly formal and remote but in reality we are close at hand to serve your needs. We’re just along the road in Newtown, just the other end of the phone with our helpline, and - if enough voluntary groups in your area ask for a visit - we can come to your town or village to tell you how to apply for grants."

Groups in Wales seeking application forms for Charities Board grants or further information should call 0845 7273273.

Notes to Editors

1. For media enquiries or photographs please call Hanna or Myrddin on 01286 675221.
2. The National Lottery Charities Board is an independent body set up by Parliament to distribute funds to support charitable, benevolent and philanthropic organisations. There are 17 Board members, including the Chair. Decisions on grants are made by the members in grant-making committees for Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the UK as a whole.
3. The Charities Board’s two main grant programmes: Community involvement and Poverty and disadvantage as well as Small grants are assessed by the Wales Committee. Board Members in Wales are Tom Jones (Chair), Elisabeth Watkins and Jeff Carroll. Co-opted Members to the Board are Margaret Dennis, Aled Siôn and Dr Glyn Williams.
4. The Board’s main aim is to give grants to help meet the needs of those at greatest disadvantage in society and to improve the quality of life in the community.
5. Since October 1995, the National Lottery Charities Board, under the main grants, has awarded over £79 million to 891 groups in Wales. Over £3.5 million has been awarded to 1517 groups under the Small grants scheme. This brings the total distributed in Wales, over five years, to over £83 million.
6. Full lists of Charities Board’s grants are published on the internet at www.nlcb.org.uk and full lists of all Lottery distributors grants are listed at www.lottery.culture.gov.uk.

Note to Designers

1. The National Lottery Charities Board logo is the circular logo that appears on this press release. (The "crossed finger" logo is a trade mark for the National Lottery as promoted by Camelot and is therefore not for the Charities Board use.)