With many charities and community organisations across Wales facing increasing challenges as a result of COVID-19, the National Lottery is assuring the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector that they are open, money is still being awarded and they are available to support them.
They are continuing to deliver their services to applicants, grant holders and communities across the UK as normally as they can amid the crisis with all staff working from home and prioritising keeping money flowing.
They recognise that many of the organisations awarded funding recently may need to delay or adapt the delivery of their project, and they are working with them to ensure that they can do this. Meanwhile, for existing grant holders with awards over £10,000, they will work with them and where appropriate offer them additional finances to meet additional costs and to help address income reductions where their ability to fundraise has been affected.
Darren said:
“This is a very worrying time for charities and community organisations and I thank the National Lottery for supporting them and being so flexible in their approach, trusting grant holders to know what is best for the communities they serve as they manage the impact of Covid-19.
“I am pleased to hear that in Wales, the National Lottery are also working closely with the Welsh Government, the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, the Community Foundation in Wales and other trusts and foundations through the Wales Funders Forum to ensure that communities across Wales are able to access and benefit from key COVID-19 Crisis response funds. By working collectively they will help minimise unnecessary duplication of services which will help organisations during this challenging time.”
The National Lottery has helped many charities and community organisations throughout Conwy and Denbighshire over the years, the latest to benefit being Abergele Community Action Ltd, which has been awarded £10,000 to provide a Youth Shed where young people aged between 10 and 25, who are or at risk of becoming excluded from mainstream social, educational and digital opportunities, can come together to work on individual or community projects, and Cymdeithas Emrys ap Iwan which has been awarded £1,580 to hold a series of Welsh language events over a year for the community of Abergele and district.
Darren added:
“National Lottery funding has benefitted many in my constituency and I am pleased that funding will continue to be available to communities amid the Covid-19 pandemic, with the main funding programmes, National Lottery Awards for All and People and Places, remaining open to new applications.
“The funding decisions the National Lottery will make for the next six months will prioritise addressing the current crisis and they will seek to process applications promptly and pay organisations as soon as they need it.”
All National Lottery grant holders can contact their Funding Officer if they need advice or have any questions about their grant. Full updates from the organisation regarding our response to Covid-19 and general contact details can be found on our website www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk