Groups hit jackpot with lottery grants
SIX Swansea groups have begun the festive season with early celebrations after getting grants totalling almost £500,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.
The main beneficiary is Swansea Women’s Aid, which will spend £482,109 over two years expanding its current project to add a triage worker to its One Stop Shop.
It will enable the group to offer more one-to-one appointments and introduce further opportunities for mindfulness and counselling. The project activities will be delivered at their main base in Swansea centre and throughout surrounding areas in existing family centres.
They plan to engage with women suffering domestic or sexual abuse in Swansea.
Lynne Sanders, the chief executive of Swansea Women’s Aid said: “This project will enable us to support more than 600 women a year in the community to maximise their safety and move on positively with their lives.
“Thanks to all the staff for their hard work, and to the Big Lottery Fund for giving us the grant.”
Gendros Community Choir in Swansea will spend £4,700 to run choir practices and performances, building stronger links with their local school, and improve individuals’ confidence and well-being.
Karen Woods, chairperson of the choir, said: “Our choir now has another year to perform in nursing homes, schools and events and we can still be open and free for all.
“We are more than just a choir, we are a family, and this grant means we can continue to support each other as well as the wider community. We couldn’t be more delighted and thankful.”
Gorseinon Institute will spend £8,000 to improve their space, enabling them to cook meals for those using the food bank, begin healthy eating and wellbeing sessions, and improving facilities for the various other groups that use the space.
Mayals Primary School will spend £10,000 to provide training for school staff to deliver therapeutic intervention sessions helping children with complex social-emotional needs.
Katie Bowden, additional learning needs coordinator, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded a grant from the Big Lottery Fund. The funding will not only enable us to run invaluable group play therapy sessions but will allow us to train staff, ensuring our pupils will benefit for many years to come.”
PBC Foundation (UK) Ltd, who support people with liver disease, will spend £7,444 to run series of self-management workshops throughout Wales for people with the condition and their families, providing information and a place to socialise.
Pontarddulais and District Community Car Scheme will use £10,000 to purchase a new disability car to ensure older people and people with disabilities continue to receive a good service.
Kevin Griffiths, on behalf of the project, said: “The scheme will be able to carry on the outstanding work it has been doing for more than 27 years, serving the community with transport. Without your help, we would not be able to renew our vehicles and give the community the standard of transport they receive.”
Friends of the City of Swansea Botanical Complex will use £3,072 to strengthen the relationships between the volunteers and their referrals from the brain injury unit, social services and students with learning difficulties.