Communities across England are taking delivery of a package of Christmas grants of more than £7 million from the BIG Lottery Fund.

The season’s celebrations are being given a big lift in 32 communities which are each receiving a slice of a total funding announcement of £7,828,298 for their work with some of the most vulnerable and socially excluded people across the country.

The funding is from BIG’s Reaching Communities programme. Sanjay Dighe, Chair of BIG’s England Committee, said: “We are delighted to bring the good news to 32 fantastic projects, just in time for Christmas. Receiving grants this month are groups offering support to people suffering from serious health conditions, those aiming to improve the natural environment on their doorsteps and scores of others. We wish them the best of luck in fulfilling their resolutions and starting their new projects in the New Year.”

Among those celebrating is the Niemann-Pick Disease Group, which will use a grant of £172,601 to expand their England-wide project which aims to improve quality of life for sufferers of the condition and their families.

Niemann-Pick Disease type C (NPC) is a rare genetic disorder characterised by a range of neurological problems that become severe and limiting in the later stages. There are currently at least 72 families in England affected by the condition, and the project will aim to support the whole family, ranging from friendly advice over the phone to home visits and liaising with other care professionals to ensure they receive the help they need.

Executive Director Toni Mathieson said: “It is fantastic for us, as a small organisation, to have our work recognised and supported in this way.The grant will enable us to provide a much-needed Family Care and Interactive Support service to families who are affected by the rare and life-limiting condition Niemann-Pick Disease, bringing hope and encouragement to this community.

“This project will provide specialist care and support that will assist families in coping with the challenging symptoms of the disease, enable them to communicate more effectively with their health care team, and tackle the issues of isolation and despair, that so often accompany a diagnosis of a rare disease, by creating links with other affected families.

“Using interactive technology, families will have increased access to expert care and advice provided by a Clinical Nurse Specialist for Niemann-Pick Disease, Jackie Imrie.The innovative use of technology at the heart of this project will enable more effective and efficient communication between families and our Clinical Nurse Specialist, and will lead to an improved quality of life for those affected by Niemann-Pick Disease and their families.”

Also having their Christmas wish granted is Kingswood Nursery and Infant Centre in Wolverhampton, which will use its grant of £17,337 to create a woodland shelter and improve access through a forest school area, woodlands and orchard. A grass matted pathway will be created leading through the woods to a specially designed shelter made of sustainable materials. This will be used as a meeting point and activity centre.

Rachel Wells, Head Teacher at Kingswood Nursery and Infant Centre, said: “The news that we have been successful with our Forest School shelter and orchard project is very exciting and we look forward to engaging many children and families, volunteers and the local community in a variety of woodland opportunities. This will involve high levels of practical activity, learning from skilled crafts people and understanding about the natural environment and the impact of neglect on it.

“We place a strong emphasis on enjoyment and achievement for all, and the funding will enable us to make the natural spaces more accessible, bring people together and encourage collaboration and participation. This funding will make a real difference in encouraging people to respect and value the outdoors, protect the environment for the future and at the same time gain knowledge, new skills and a sense of achievement.”

Meanwhile, work rehabilitation charity Credo in Bromley will put its £184,388 Christmas bonus to good use supporting people who have experienced mental ill health to return to work, education or training through the design, production and sale of high-quality ceramics.

Credo’s project officer Jan Lovett said: “There is now a lot of research available into how the arts help people with mental ill health.This marvellous award, so generously given by the Big Lottery Fund, means that we will be able to develop ‘The Credo Creative Arts Centre’, offer more support to people who live with mental illness, develop our outreach in the community and extend the range of creative arts and crafts that we offer.

“Credo has been gradually developing since its establishment in 1998 and this marvellous award will help us to go forward even further. Thank you so much to The Big Lottery Fund.”

Further Information

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888
Out of hours contact: 07867 500 572
Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030
Textphone:  0845 6021 659

Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Notes to Editors

• Under Reaching Communities, the Big Lottery Fund awards grants between £10,000 and £500,000 to projects that offer people better life chances, build stronger communities, develop improved rural and urban environments and improve health and well being.
• The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out half the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
• BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since June 2004. The Fund was formally established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, 28p from every pound spent by the public has gone to good causes. As a result, over £23 billion has now been raised and more than 317,000 grants awarded across arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.