18 February 2000

Over £4.5m to Wales for community transport, manic depression and disadvantage

Today, over £4.5 million is being awarded to Wales specifically to tackle Poverty and disadvantage and to encourage Community involvement. The 32 awards, made by the National Lottery Charities Board, based in Newtown, total £4,566,745 and will make a significant impact to groups working with the disadvantaged.

The newly-appointed Chairman of the Charities Board in Wales, Elisabeth Watkins said, "Today’s awards show the benefits that the Charities Board can bring as an independent funder to support issues such as economic disadvantage, disability, homelessness, domestic abuse, mental health problems, and lack of access to transport. Through our two main grants programmes, Poverty and disadvantage and Community involvement, voluntary groups can turn to us for funding. I extend my congratulations to all the groups receiving awards today and look forward to seeing the beneficial results of their projects."

Community Transport is a high priority for the Charities Board and lack of access is to be tackled by Independent Community Transport Ltd, based in Caerphilly, with a £139,795 grant for a transport service for older or disabled passengers to local and regional venues and holiday destinations.

The effect of economic and social disadvantage on young people is being addressed by the Abergavenny-based South Wales group People and Work Unit, awarded £119,898 to organise camps for disadvantaged youngsters where they will gain new skills and confidence.

An issue to challenge everyone will be addressed by the Cardiff based Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities group, awarded £146,898 to promote and facilitate employment opportunities for those with disabilities.

An aspect of mental health is the concern of the all-Wales Newport-based Manic Depression Fellowship, awarded £155,715 to provide training for people with manic depression to learn how to manage their illness.

Community initiatives also feature in today’s awards, including the highest award of £465,759 to Dyserth Urdd Hall Association in Denbighshire for construction and refurbishment of the hall.

Roy Norris, Director of the Charities Board in Wales said, "The range of awards reflects the variety of needs in the voluntary sector in Wales. Also, significantly, today we witness the first major award for a community transport project since the Charities Board announced the Wales-only three-year initiative to address the disadvantage caused by lack of access to transport. Our commitment is to set aside up to £3 million a year for community transport projects and therefore communities from across Wales will be interested to find out more about the successful Caerphilly project in order to introduce similar schemes in their own areas."

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

Notes to Editors

1. For media enquiries or group contact numbers 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 Elisabeth Watkins (Chairman), Tom Jones 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 nearly £84 million to 923 groups in Wales. Over £4 million has been awarded to 1534 groups under the Small grants scheme. This brings the total distributed in Wales, over five years, to nearly £88m million.