Charities and community groups across the capital have received over £64 million in much-needed funding since the COVID-19 crisis and lockdown began* – all thanks to National Lottery players.
The money, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, has reached 770 community organisations across London. Community activities to have received funding range from Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre in Camden to Mum Bub Hub, a social enterprise based in East London.
Mum Bub Hub in Plaistow, a charity that aims to bridge the gap in before and after birth care for vulnerable and at-risk women, is just one of the many good causes that has stepped up to support people during this challenging time. It has been awarded £9,900 of National Lottery funding to launch the Support Hub, an accessible online resource, which allows new mothers across the capital to get help and share experiences as they feel socially isolated after giving birth, with lockdown making this worse.
Nyree-Dawn Adams, Founder of Mum Bub Hub says: “Now more than ever, an accessible approach is necessary for the challenges pregnant and new mums are now facing with social distancing in place. We understand that women and birthing people are feeling even more isolated than ever and are having increased anxieties and concerns and need practical support about how to adapt to changing circumstances.”
Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre, a women’s charity that focuses on providing domestic abuse and welfare support to vulnerable women and children from BAME communities in and around Camden, has been awarded nearly £80,000 of National Lottery funding. The money is helping them respond to the current increase in high-risk domestic abuse cases caused by lockdown restrictions, offering immediate support as well as making plans for the long term. The charity’s vital work includes arranging refuge, offering legal advice through volunteer solicitors, and support through their welfare and pre-employment services.
Benaifer Bhandari, CEO at Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre, says: “Thanks to National Lottery funding, we can continue to support women and families across Camden, at a time when our services are needed the most. We are now able to keep running as a charity through these tough times because of help towards essential salaries – which help us to be there for every BAME woman who needs our front-line services.”
Helen Bushell, Head of Funding for London, the South East and East of England at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Money raised by National Lottery players has been vital in helping people and communities across London to support each other through the pandemic. Volunteers and charity workers have played an incredible role in keeping people safe, supported and connected. Over the coming months National Lottery funding will continue to bring people and communities together to build solutions and recover from the crisis.”
London isn’t alone in benefiting from vital National Lottery funding. Today it was announced that £300 million has been distributed to over 7,400 community organisations across the UK since the COVID-19 crisis and lockdown began.
Grassroots groups, small local charities and UK-wide charities have been awarded this funding to enable them to continue their fantastic work supporting communities through these unprecedented times.
Almost 20% of this life-changing money (£53 million) has gone to micro (annual income of less than £10,000**) and small groups (income between £10,000 and £100,000**) and a further £120 million to medium-sized organisations (income between £100,000 and £1 million**), as communities rally to recover from the impacts of the crisis.
Thanks to National Lottery players, £30 million is raised every week for the UK’s good causes, and £41 billion has been distributed to 565,000 good causes across the UK since 1994.
In addition, since May, The National Lottery Community Fund has been responsible for distributing £200 million in coronavirus community support on behalf of the Government. This funding closes to applications on 17th August.
To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk
