Groups use occasion to fight loneliness across the region
THE BIG Lottery Fund is using Yorkshire Day to celebrate the many organisations across the region which it has awarded funding to.
About £1.1bn of National Lottery money has been distributed to more than 15,000 projects across Yorkshire and the Humber since the lottery began more than 20 years ago.
In particular, the Big Lottery Fund is highlighting the local organisations working to tackle loneliness and social isolation.
This includes Barnsley-based charity, Deafinitions, which offers help, support and advice for deaf people in South Yorkshire, particularly the over-50s.
Isolation and loneliness are common issues for older people, but can often be worse for people who are deaf as well.
The group was awarded more than £350,000 of National Lottery funding earlier this year. This helped Deafinitions to pay for support workers, an interpreter and a fitness instructor, to run a day centre for the next three years.
Activities on offer include drop-in sessions, day trips to local tourist spots, fitness sessions and workshops offering help with health, life skills and finances.
Jamil Zaman, a trustee at Deafinitions, said: “Deafinitions is overjoyed at receiving this support, thanks to National Lottery players, which has enabled us to better reach and support deaf people across South Yorkshire.
“Our aim is to improve the wellbeing of deaf people, and to empower them to make informed choices about their lives and reduce the daily stress and barriers that they encounter.”
Deafinitions is also expanding to include a befriending and outreach service.
James Harcourt, England grant making director for Big Lottery Fund, said: “Deafinitions is just one of many brilliant organisations supporting people in Yorkshire.
“It’s fantastic to be able to shine a light on this incredibly worthwhile project on Yorkshire Day, and to celebrate the achievements of the people and communities across the region.”