Dozens of groups to benefit in lottery awards

A project that supports children in care and foster carers, a neighbourhood history scheme, a community library and music sessions for people with dementia are among a range of community projects receiving cash.

The awards totalling £446,000 are from the Big Lottery Fund’s most popular grants scheme Awards for All.

Among the organisations to benefit is the Association of Barnsley Foster Carers which is receiving more than £6,000 to provide a range of educational and recreational outings and events to help reduce isolation and stigma youngsters might feel and increase the confidence of foster carers.

John Jones, of the association, said: “This funding will provide educational and recreational events for Barnsley’s looked after children and young people along with their carers.

“This project hopes to form vital links between the children and young people and their carers, so the children can share their life experiences and build up their confidence and self-esteem, while the carers can share their ideas, skills and practices.

“We hope this will benefit our looked after children and young people and help carers to provide the best possible care. We would like to thank the Big Lottery Fund for their help, assistance and guidance during the application process, which has allowed us to make our project a reality.”

Also receiving funding is Neighbourhood Ventures in Bradford, which will use its £5,055 grant to support residents of the Longlands area close to the city centre to research its history, get involved in regeneration projects and look at ways of bringing the community together.

In Rotherham, Lost Chord will receive £10,000 to run stimulating music-making sessions for people with dementia.

The Calderdale Parent and Carer’s Council has been awarded £9,846 to establish a free counselling service for parents and carers of disabled children. This will help parents to develop their resilience and wellbeing, reduce their isolation and cope with challenges.

Embsay CE Primary School, near Skipton, will establish a community garden and after-school gardening club with their £5,981 grant. The project aims to bring local families together and help children to bond through learning with their parents.

A further award worth £7,140 has gone to Skipsea Primary School, near Bridlington, for an outdoor canopy to allow play outside and after-school activities in all weather, while Fylingdales Playgroup in Robin Hood’s Bay has been handed £10,000 to help with an extension to allow it to take on more children in the area where it is the only pre-school provision for five miles.

Another award of £10,000 has gone towards the refurbishment of the village hall in Coxwold, near Thirsk.

Vanessa White, head of region for the Big Lottery Fund, said: “The wide range of community projects receiving funding just goes to the variety of projects that can benefit from our Awards for All programme.

“The application process is quick and easy so if there are groups in the region who want to talk through a project idea, please get in touch.”

The programme offers grants of between £300 and £10,000 to social and environmental projects that will benefit local communities and make a difference to the lives of those most in need.

Voluntary and community groups, schools, health organisations and parish and town councils can all apply.

For more information go to www.awardsforall.org.uk or telephone 0845 4102030.