Helping to mind the gap: charity benefits from lotto funding

NEW research shows that people living in the south east feel they are faring better than other parts of country in many ways.

But when it comes to property, there’s a gap.

The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, surveyed people to ask for their feelings on key areas such as life opportunities.

In the South-East, over three quarters of people ( 77%) feel their local community is faring well for quality of life compared to other communities, higher than the UK average (72%). More people in the region said their community is faring well when it comes to life opportunities (54%), than across the UK (50%).

South-East residents feel their community is doing well with levels of crime and anti-social behaviour (62%), than in the UK overall (57%), as well as for community and public spaces (74% vs. 71%) and health and wellbeing ( 69% vs. 65%).

Tthe availability of housing is below average (46% vs. 48%).

In all, 8,000 people were surveyed, and helps inform The National Lottery Community Fund Strategy Renewal process that will shape how it supports people and communities into the future.

David Knott, the fund’s chief executive, said: “This research is about putting communities first and asking them directly what their challenges, hopes and ambitions are today and for the future. “We know our funding has a critical role to play in supporting communities to unleash their energy and potential so they can get to where they want to be.

“It’s the start of an important conversation.”

Among those groups supported by the lottery’s community fund is Pilgrim Hearts Trust, which works with homeless or at risk of homelessness people in Wokingham and Bracknell Forest.

The National Lottery says that the charity offers shelter, food and essential supplies, and help to find employment and a permanent home.