20 September 2000

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

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

A television programme about applying for a Lottery grant, commissioned by the National Lottery Charities Board, will be re-transmitted on BBC2 on Monday 25th September, between 5.30 and 6.00am.

"Applying for a Lottery grant", which was produced by the Media Trust, and initially broadcast on the BBC last December, 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.

Diana Brittan, Chair, National Lottery Charities Board, said: "I would urge everybody who is thinking of applying to the Charities Board 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 an unnecessarily daunting business."

Media enquiries: Robert Blow 020 7747 5227

Notes to editors

1. The National Lottery Charities Board distributes money from the National Lottery to voluntary and community groups. It receives 4.7 pence of every £1 spent on the Lottery. Since 1995 the Charities Board has awarded over £1.7 billion to more than 35,000 groups.
2. Copies of the programme have been produced on video to help groups apply for money from the Charities Board. A signed and subtitled version is also available.

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. Contact: Sue Sinclair, 01254 232249

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