PN 04-04-24 CF

In addition to CLASP, two other Leicestershire charities will share in the latest lottery windfall. They are:

Voluntary Action for Oadby & Wigston - £37,288
Misterton with Walcote Community Trust - £44,097

Explaining just what the Community Fund grant means to CLASP, Sonia Bray the Carers Centre Manager said: “Without the grant the project would have closed and left carers without support. This would have put more pressure on the core staff of the organisation, who are already operating a waiting list because the demand for our support is so great.”

CLASP has a database of 4,900 carers aged over 18 from across Leicestershire and Rutland to whom the charity provides advocacy, support and representation at assessments, reviews and meetings with health and social care professionals.

Ms Bray explains: “There are many people in a caring role who do not recognise themselves as carers, for example a mum, dad or daughter doing what you normally expect families do – looking after a family member, friend or neighbour with a disability, chronic illness or who is older and too frail to manage independently”

The Community Fund grant will enable the charity to continue its vital Outreach and Support Project by funding the salaries of three members of staff and running and operational costs of the charity for a further three years.

The Outreach and Support Project offers help and support to carers who are unable to travel to The Carers Centre. Now in its second phase, the Community Fund grant will enable the Project to focus on supporting older people – both older carers and also carers of older people.

“It was wonderful to feel the needs of carers were being recognised by the Community Fund. Like many other local voluntary organisations over the last few months it has been difficult to feel our work is really valued. This is a much needed boost for the carers, staff and volunteers at CLASP The Carers Centre,” added Ms Bray.
The Community Fund money given to Leicestershire is from a total of £1,872,689 distributed amongst 19 groups, across six counties, in the East Midlands. The grants were awarded in March, making them the second round of grants the Community Fund has given to the East Midlands in 2004.

	8 April 2004 Leicestershire Lottery Loot
	A Leicester charity has scooped one of the largest grants awarded to the East Midlands by the Community Fund in the second round of grants it has given to the region in 2004. The Community Fund – a National Lottery distributor that gives lottery money to charities and voluntary groups – has awarded £178,764 to Carers of Leics Action and Support Project (CLASP) The Carers Centre is on Constitution Hill in Leicester. In addition to CLASP, two other Leicestershire charities will share in the latest lottery windfall. They are: Voluntary Action for Oadby & Wigston - £37,288 Misterton with Walcote Community Trust - £44,097 Explaining just what the Community Fund grant means to CLASP, Sonia Bray the Carers Centre Manager said: “Without the grant the project would have closed and left carers without support. This would have put more pressure on the core staff of the organisation, who are already operating a waiting list because the demand for our support is so great.” CLASP has a database of 4,900 carers aged over 18 from across Leicestershire and Rutland to whom the charity provides advocacy, support and representation at assessments, reviews and meetings with health and social care professionals. Ms Bray explains: “There are many people in a caring role who do not recognise themselves as carers, for example a mum, dad or daughter doing what you normally expect families do – looking after a family member, friend or neighbour with a disability, chronic illness or who is older and too frail to manage independently” The Community Fund grant will enable the charity to continue its vital Outreach and Support Project by funding the salaries of three members of staff and running and operational costs of the charity for a further three years. The Outreach and Support Project offers help and support to carers who are unable to travel to The Carers Centre. Now in its second phase, the Community Fund grant will enable the Project to focus on supporting older people – both older carers and also carers of older people. “It was wonderful to feel the needs of carers were being recognised by the Community Fund. Like many other local voluntary organisations over the last few months it has been difficult to feel our work is really valued. This is a much needed boost for the carers, staff and volunteers at CLASP The Carers Centre,” added Ms Bray. The Community Fund money given to Leicestershire is from a total of £1,872,689 distributed amongst 19 groups, across six counties, in the East Midlands. The grants were awarded in March, making them the second round of grants the Community Fund has given to the East Midlands in 2004.		For further information on how to apply for a Community Fund grant please call 0115 934 9300 or log onto www.community-fund.org.uk.