13 July 2000

English charities celebrate bumper £41.6 million awards

Groups tackling some of the most challenging social issues are among 324 groups benefiting from £41,618,815 million awarded by the National Lottery Charities Board across England today.

These include the Grandparents' Federation which has been awarded £140,159. The group works with grandparents who are either separated from their grandchildren or who care for them due to family breakdown.

Lynn Chesterman, Director of Service Development said: "This grant will allow us to support more grandparents who are bringing up their grandchildren and help those who are separated from their grandchildren through family feud, divorce, bereavement etc.

"The security that this grant gives the Grandparents' Federation will help all children and grandparents who are currently kept apart."

POPAN (Prevention of Professional Abuse Network) has been awarded £413,310. POPAN provides support, information and advocacy to people who have been abused by professionals working in the health and social care services. Our grant will allow POPAN to expand and will involve putting on a series of roadshows to promote its services.

Director Frances Blunden said: "This grant will make a major difference to the level of support and help we can provide those whose lives have been devastated because of the abuse they have suffered from a professional they trusted and turned to for help.

"Those who are abused are often already very vulnerable and distressed - many are survivors of child abuse or are users of mental health services. At present, they cannot get the help they need. With this grant, many more people will be able to receive help and POPAN will be able to develop more locally based services."

The Consortium of Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Voluntary & Community Organisations has been awarded £487,957. The group works with other agencies to build networks to promote awareness of current issues affecting lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

ADDACTION has been awarded £462,999. This is a national drug abuse charity providing treatment and counselling using self-help methods.

Eddie Haigh from Addaction said: "As a drug and alcohol charity, this three year grant is essential in consolidating our position as a leading and effective organisation tackling drug and alcohol problems. The grant will fund a staff training programme in making sure our workers are trained in the core competancies of substance misuse."

Charities Board Director for England Janet Paraskeva said: "These grants clearly show we are enabling the most disadvantaged in our society to improve their lives and communities."

Media enquiries -Martin Valentine, England Media Manager - 0116 258 7023

For more information:

Addaction - www.addaction.org.uk

Popan - Press Enquiries: 020 7720 1553

Consortium of Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Voluntary and Community Organisations - John Fox, 020 7354 8848

Grandparents Federation- Lynn Chesterman, 01707 334157

Notes to editors:

1. The National Lottery Charities Board distributes money raised by the National Lottery to charities and voluntary and community groups. The Board distributes grants to help meet the needs of those at greatest disadvantage in society and to improve the quality of life of the community.

2. The Board receives 4.7p of every pound spent on National Lottery tickets or 16 2/3 per cent of all the money that goes to the 'good causes'.

3. Since 1995 the Board has become the UK's largest general purpose grant-maker. By constant consultation with the voluntary sector, we have been able to deliver a grant-making strategy which has won its confidence and approval.