Lottery funding is a winner for local projects
COMMUNITY groups across Swansea Bay are celebrating after receiving a share of more than £135,000 in National Lottery grants.
Fourteen groups in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, supporting individuals and families in the community, were successful.
Family and Therapy CIC’S £10,000 grant will support young people and families to improve their mental health. The project will provide free counselling sessions in an area where there is a lack of mental health support for young people.
Aileen Brindley, the co-owner, project lead and counsellor, said: “Family and Therapy CIC are thrilled to have received funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.
“We are now able to encourage more talking and provide creative counselling to young people and their families in the Llwchwr community struggling with their mental health.”
Clydach Community Garden’s grant of £10,000 will mean they can expand on their community growing project. They will deliver weekly gardening workshops, offering more opportunities for local schools and people with additional needs to have a go at gardening.
Expanding the garden will enable them to support the local food bank by providing more produce.
Linda Martin, Clydach Community Garden volunteer, said: “Our volunteers see the garden as an important resource to socialise and meet others. The weekly sessions bring people together to look after the garden, meet others and learn new skills.”
Nigerians in Wales Association CIC applied for their first grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, and were awarded £9,910.
They will use the funding to organise events to promote cultural and social interactions and strengthen racial understanding between Nigerians and the local community.
Patience Bentu, director of Nigerians in Wales Association CIC, said: “This funding will provide us with a foundation to develop future projects for our community through our Meet and Greet project.”
Swansea Hackspace’s grant of £9,500 will mean they can provide members of the community with a space and a large pool of shared tools and equipment. The project will bring the community together and teach them new skills through workshops including electronics, textiles, science and many more.
Peter Barnes, Swansea Hackspace refurbishment co-ordinator, said: “This funding from the National Lottery Community Fund will give us the boost we need to get Swansea Hackspace open to the public, allowing us to run community workshops and provide a safe space for hobbyists and makers.”
Community Ventures Port Talbot CIC are spending their £9,900 grant to support more vulnerable individuals and families in the area. Due to an increase in demand, they will use the funding to employ a coordinator and expand their services in the community shop.
FAN Community Alliance received £10,000 to install internal wall insulation to improve the Friends and Neighbours Centre.
Ysgol Cwm Brombil were awarded £10,000 to provide a designated, warm and safe area in the community.
Jac Lewis Foundation’s £9,800 grant will secure the continuation of the Wales Bereavement Through Suicide Project that enables people to access immediate support by professionally qualified psychotherapists.
Surf Therapy CIC applied for £9,483 to run surf-therapy sessions to teach men the basics of surfing whilst giving them the opportunity to overcome personal boundaries and support in addressing their mental health challenges.
Communities For Horses will work in marginalised and disadvantaged urban communities to bring people together through their passion for horses.
LGBT Cymru Helpline will use their £10,000 grant to deliver group therapy classes on resilience, positive psychology, and life after Covid-19.
Interplay’s (Integrated Play & Leisure) £10,000 grant will re-establish their fortnightly face-to-face sessions for young people aged 18 to 25 with disabilities and mental health support needs.
Sketty Foodbank will use their £9,956 grant to buy storage and supplies to expand their foodbank.
Sunshine Lotus Yoga were awarded £10,000 to offer free yoga courses for people experiencing poor mental and physical health.