3 June 1999

Volunteers get £38 million boost

The National Lottery Charities Board has today awarded £38.4 million to 323 voluntary organisations to help them make a lasting difference to their communities - and celebrate National Volunteers Week 1999.

The largest award announced today goes to Going for Green, which receives a grant of £893,974. The project is aimed at involving the whole community in taking responsibility for the environment, including practical initiatives such as walking to school, minimising waste and anti-litter campaigns.

Common Purpose UK receives £365,002 to extend the "Your Turn" citizen programme to run workshops in education departments and schools to encourage young people to appreciate and understand the cities where they live.

Prince’s Youth Business Trust aims to recruit more than 400 young volunteers from ethnic minorities and with disabilities to the Prince’s Youth Business Trust programme and help them set up their own businesses. The grant of £507,390, over three years, will fund the salaries of eight Project Managers.

Deaf-Fax provides IT-based education for deaf people. The project will increase employment opportunities for profoundly deaf adults through an interactive IT training pack and advice for jobseekers. Their grant of £514,170 will pay for salaries and training and equipment.

Timothy Hornsby, Chief Executive, Charities Board, said: "National Volunteers Week is a great idea - but we know that people are working every day, of every month to improve their communities.

"Volunteering gives people a chance to learn new skills, meet new people and be involved in exciting projects. These grants will encourage many people, especially young people, to take part in the life of their local and wider communities."