23 November 1999

Applying for a Lottery grant: BBC programme makes process easier to understand

The National Lottery Charities Board has commissioned a television programme about applying for a Lottery grant, which will be transmitted on the BBC in early December.

Produced by The Media Trust, the programme runs for half an hour. It includes applicant groups from London and the North West discussing their applications, advice on applying and assessment from Charities Board grants officers and a funding Adviser from Voluntary Action Manchester assisting an applicant.

"Applying for a Lottery grant" will be transmitted twice during December on the Learning Zone on BBC2 on:

Monday 6th December 0530 to 0600

Tuesday 14th December 0530 to 0600

Diana Brittan, Chair, National Lottery Charities Board, said: "I would advise everybody who is thinking of applying to the Charities Board to set their video to record this programme as it provides invaluable guidance on making a good quality application. Watching groups going through the application process will demystify what for many people seems to be a unnecessarily daunting business."

Media enquiries: Robert Blow 0171-747 5227

Note:

Copies of the programme are being produced on video to help groups apply for money from the Charities Board. The video will be signed and subtitled.

Case studies of groups featured in the programme

The Manor House Group - a support group for haemophiliacs suffering from Hepatitis C. They are based near Manchester. They are filmed as they make their first application to the Charities Board for £120,000 for a buddying scheme.

Contact: Anne Carbery, 01942 889157

Roundabout - a drama therapy group based in south London. They are filmed making a successful application for £57,000 to expand their work into north London.

Contact: Deborah Haythorne, 0181-665 0038

Golden Hearts for African Families - a south London refugee support group offering English lessons. They are filmed handling an application for £37,000, which turns out to be successful.

Contact: Innocent Obwona-Okulla, 01689 847639

Hyndburn Homewise - based in Accrington, Lancashire. Their applications for a grant were rejected five times before they eventually succeeded in getting funding of £122,000 for a housing maintenance scheme.