National Lottery Charities Board South East

South East News

Charities Board Wants New Awards Committee Members

The National Lottery Charities Board, which gives around �24 million to community groups across the South East each year, is looking for three new members for its Regional Awards Committee (RAC). And the Board is keen to recruit at least one person from each of the following areas:

• Hampshire and/or the Isle of Wight
• Surrey
• Buckinghamshire

The Committee meets every two months to decide on which grants should be made to local charities and community groups.

'The role of the RAC is absolutely crucial to the work of the Charities Board,' says South East regional manager Dorothy Buckrell. 'Our RAC helps us decide on our priorities for funding and gives vital guidance on our grant-making. We are committed to reflecting the communities and interests of our region through the work of the RAC.

'Existing members of the committee have a rich and varied knowledge of the South East and the voluntary sector. But to be more representative of the region we would like to appoint someone with a good knowledge of the needs of Hampshire and/or the Isle of Wight. We also hope that at least two of our three new committee members will be women.

'In addition we would like one of our new committee members to be from a minority ethnic community. We are working with development agencies across the South East to support minority ethnic community groups that could benefit from funding and the RAC provides invaluable support and advice in this area.'

John Whitaker, who is standing down after chairing the RAC for the past four years, recommends the role: 'Our main task is to reach a considered view on individual applications and policy issues, through discussion - which is often lively. Members come from different backgrounds and bring different approaches, but we all know something about voluntary and charitable work. The key thing is being willing and able to contribute to the debate.'

Committee members are asked to commit up to two days in every month to the work. They can claim authorised expenses and a 'loss of earnings' allowance similar to that paid to magistrates.

For more details, call 0116 258 7040 for a recruitment pack. The closing date for applications to join the committee is the 16 March 2001.

For further information or to arrange interviews, call: Karen Gilchrist on 023 8023 6806

South East groups Awarded over �3 and a half million by the National Lottery Charities Board

The Royal Philanthropic Society, in Sevenoaks, has been awarded �488,172 by the National Lottery Charities Board. The grant is to provide support, training and personal development to disadvantaged young people who are looking for employment. The group works across Hastings, Arun, Bognor, Folkestone and Thanet. The grant is one of 25 to groups across the South East worth a total of �3,511,498.

Another recipient is World Education Berkshire, based in Reading. A grant of �201,183 means the group can improve and refurbish its centre over the next three years. The roof of the building will be transformed into an environmental study area for children.

Eastleigh Community Services is to get �202,141 to help it support charities and community organisations throughout the borough, through training, information and development work. And Link Leisure has been awarded �64,882 to develop its leisure and development opportunities for young people with learning difficulties.

For the full list of grants made to the South East region, click here

'These grants support the work of groups that play a vital role in our local communities,' says Dorothy Buckrell, South East regional manager for the Charities Board. 'Many of the groups assist people who are among the most vulnerable in society, others help people develop new skills and opportunities in turn improving the quality of life for many of us living in the South East.'

The grants have been made under the Charities Board's Community Involvement and Poverty and Disadvantage programmes. Groups can apply for funding at any time and currently one in two applications is successful. The number to call for application forms is 08457 919191.

For further information contact: Karen, Jane or Lesley at Resource Base on 023 8023 6806

Case studies of grants awarded by the National Lottery Charities Board (click on a link to view details):

• World Education Berkshire Awarded over �200,000
• Four Buckinghamshire groups Awarded over �200,000
• The Fellowship of St Nicholas Awarded over �470,000
• Two Hampshire groups Awarded over �225,000
• Six Kent groups Awarded nearly �One and a half million
• Five Oxfordshire groups Awarded over �Half a million
• Two Surrey groups Awarded over �90,000
• West Sussex groups Awarded over �270,000

World Education Berkshire Awarded over �200,000 by the National Lottery Charities Board

World Education Berkshire, based in Reading, has been awarded �201,183 by the National Lottery Charities Board.

The grant means the group can improve and refurbish its centre over the next three years. The roof of the building will be transformed into an environmental study area for children.

'World Education Berkshire provides an important resource to the local community,' says Dorothy Buckrell, South East regional manager for the Charities Board. 'We hope that the improvements which can be made with our support will mean many more people can use the facilities.'

The grant to World Education Berkshire has been made under the Charities Board's Community Involvement programme. Groups can apply for funding at any time and currently one in two applications is successful. The number to call for application forms is 08457 919191.

For further information contact: Karen, Jane or Lesley at Resource Base on 023 8023 6806

Four Buckinghamshire groups Awarded over �200,000 by the National Lottery Charities Board

Victim Support Milton Keynes has been awarded �100,416 by the National Lottery Charities Board. The grant is to expand its service over the next three years by recruiting and training more local volunteers. The award is one of four grants to local groups worth a total of �243,882.

Chackmore Playgroup and Preschool is to get a permanent home, thanks to a grant of �52,037. East and Botolph Claydon Village Hall Management Committee has been awarded �14,213 to refurbish the building and make it accessible to people in wheelchairs.

And Milton Keynes Women and Work Group is to get �77,216 for a two year project to provide training and work experience to women who want to work with community organisations. The grant will pay for a part time co-ordinator, childcare costs and running expenses.

'Victim Support provides a much-needed service to local people at a difficult time in their lives,' says Dorothy Buckrell, South East regional manager for the Charities Board. 'We hope that many more people will benefit from the group's support as a result of our funding.

'The Playgroup and Preschool offers parents and young children great support in the early and vital years of development, with a permanent base the group can plan services into the future. Village halls are at the heart of much local community activity, and it's important that they should be accessible for everyone, our grant will support East and Botolph Claydon to ensure the building is open to all. And Milton Keynes Women and Work Group help build women's skills and confidence, we hope our support will enable them to extend this support to more local people.'

The grants have been made under the Charities Board's Community Involvement and Poverty and Disadvantage programmes. Groups can apply for funding at any time and currently one in two applications is successful. The number to call for application forms is 08457 919191.

For further information contact: Karen, Jane or Lesley at Resource Base on 023 8023 6806

The Fellowship of St Nicholas Awarded over �470,000 by the National Lottery Charities Board

The Fellowship of St Nicholas has been awarded �473,928 by the National Lottery Charities Board to support its after-school and holiday care for 260 local children.

The group operates four centres in central St Leonards, West St Leonards, Robsack and Elphinstone. The grant is for three years and will pay for two full-time staff, 17 part-time workers, equipment and running costs.

And disadvantaged young people in Hastings are set to benefit from a grant to The Royal Philanthropic Society, which has a project in the area. The group has been given an award of �488,172 to provide training, personal development and support to young people looking for employment in Hastings, Arun, Bognor, Folkestone and Thanet.

'The Fellowship of St Nicholas provides valuable support to young children in their early and vital years of development,' says Dorothy Buckrell, South East regional manager for the Charities Board. 'We hope that our funding will enable many more local children to benefit from the friendship and support provided by the group. The Royal Philanthropic Society helps provide new opportunities for vulnerable young people. Our grant will enable them to continue and expand this important work.'

The grants have been made under the Charities Board's Poverty and Disadvantage programme. Groups can apply for funding at any time and currently one in two applications is successful. The number to call for application forms is 08457 919191.

For further information contact: Karen, Jane or Lesley at Resource Base on 023 8023 6806

Two Hampshire groups Awarded over �225,000 by the National Lottery Charities Board

Eastleigh Community Services has been awarded �202,141 by the National Lottery Charities Board. The grant will help the group support charities and community organisations throughout the borough, through training, information and development work. The funding over three years will pay for two full time development workers, a part time support worker and running costs.

And Beauworth Village Hall is to get �23,380 to improve and refurbish the building and playground.

'Eastleigh Community Services helps small local voluntary groups to develop their ideas and grow into successful community organisations,' says Dorothy Buckrell, South East regional manager for the Charities Board. 'We hope that many more voluntary groups in Eastleigh will get off the ground and flourish as a result of our funding.'

'Village halls are at the heart of much local community activity, and it's important that they should be accessible for everyone, our grant will help Beauworth to ensure the building is open to all.'

The grants have been made under the Charities Board's Community Involvement programme. Groups can apply for funding at any time and currently one in two applications is successful. The number to call for application forms is 08457 919191.

For further information contact: Karen, Jane or Lesley at Resource Base on 023 8023 6806

Six Kent groups Awarded nearly �One and a half million by the National Lottery Charities Board

The Royal Philanthropic Society, in Sevenoaks, has been awarded �488,172 by the National Lottery Charities Board. The grant is to provide support, training and personal development to disadvantaged young people who are looking for employment. The group works across Hastings, Arun, Bognor, Folkestone and Thanet. The award is one of six grants to local groups worth a total of �1,486,559.

Three Kent groups are building new community facilities, thanks to awards from the Charities Board. Age Concern Margate is to get �483,271 to build a new day centre. Norton in Swale is to get a new village hall, following a grant of �141,157. And Sturry Pre-School has been awarded �125,573 for a new building and play area.

Maidstone Citizens Advice Bureau is to receive �161,055 to introduce a comprehensive outreach service - taking the bureau out into the local community, visiting people who need the bureau's independent advice service. And Hands and Gillingham Volunteer Bureau is to get �87,331 for a two-year project to recruit and train volunteer befrienders who will support people needing help to use local services or deal with organisations.

'The Royal Philanthropic Society helps provide new opportunities for vulnerable young people,' says Dorothy Buckrell, South East regional manager for the Charities Board. 'Our grant will enable them to continue and expand this vital work. Community buildings make a big difference to local life and we hope these new centres in Kent will provide a focus for much community activity. CABx provide essential independent advice on money and welfare matters, but not everyone can make the journey to the CAB offices. Our funding will enable the CAB to be even more accessible to everyone in the community. And The Volunteer Bureau project will offer essential one-to-one support to people who would otherwise lack the skills or confidence to get access to local services and facilities.'

The grants have been made under the Charities Board's Community Involvement and Poverty and Disadvantage programmes. Groups can apply for funding at any time and currently one in two applications is successful. The number to call for application forms is 08457 919191.

For further information contact: Karen, Jane or Lesley at Resource Base on 023 8023 6806

Five Oxfordshire groups Awarded over �Half a million by the National Lottery Charities Board

Oxfordshire My Life Choice Association has been awarded �243,000 by the National Lottery Charities Board. The grant is to help local people set up 'self-advocacy groups' where they support one another and campaign on issues of common concern. The group hopes to set up projects in six Oxfordshire towns working with young people, women with learning difficulties, and people from minority ethnic communities. The award is one of five to Oxfordshire groups worth a total of �518,827.

Aston Tirrold and Upthorpe Village Hall is to receive �120,779 to refurbish the hall and make the building accessible for disabled people. And Leafield Village Hall has been awarded �2,847 for new equipment.

ORINOCO - The Oxfordshire Scrap Store has been awarded �97,101 to develop and expand its work over the next three years - offering training and creative play ideas to groups who can make use of scrap materials. The Abingdon Damascus Youth Project will get �55,100 over the next three years to support its work with disadvantaged and vulnerable young people in Drayton, Appleford, Milton, Sutton Courtenay and Steventon.

'Oxfordshire My Life Choice Association helps local people to help themselves,' says Dorothy Buckrell, South East regional manager for the Charities Board. 'Our grant will enable the group to continue and expand this supportive work. Community buildings make a big difference to local life and we hope the two village halls will provide a focus for much community activity. Scrap stores turn one person's rubbish into another's resource. Our funding will enable ORINOCO to develop and expand this work. And we hope our support will help The Damascus Youth Project continue to support some of the more vulnerable members of our local communities to build new skills and confidence.'

The grants have been made under the Charities Board's Community Involvement and Poverty and Disadvantage programmes. Groups can apply for funding at any time and currently one in two applications is successful. The number to call for application forms is 08457 919191.

For further information contact: Karen, Jane or Lesley at Resource Base on 023 8023 6806

Two Surrey groups Awarded over �90,000 by the National Lottery Charities Board

Link Leisure has been awarded �64,882 by the National Lottery Charities Board. The group, which works in Woking and Surrey Heath, provides leisure and development opportunities to young people with learning difficulties. The grant will pay for project co-ordinators, other workers, training, residential courses and other running costs.

Guildford Association of Voluntary Services is to receive �25,305. The grant will help the group support charities and community organisations throughout the area, through training, information and development work. The funding over three years will pay for a part time development worker, training and running costs.

'Link Leisure provides valuable support to young with learning difficulties,' says Dorothy Buckrell, South East regional manager for the Charities Board. 'The project helps them to develop new skills and confidence and we are pleased to support the group's developing work. Guildford Association of Voluntary Services helps small local voluntary groups to develop their ideas and grow into successful community organisations. We hope that many more voluntary groups in Guildford will get off the ground and flourish as a result of our funding.'

The grants have been made under the Charities Board's Community Involvement programme. Groups can apply for funding at any time and currently one in two applications is successful. The number to call for application forms is 08457 919191.

For further information contact: Karen, Jane or Lesley at Resource Base on 023 8023 6806

West Sussex groups Awarded over �270,000 by the National Lottery Charities Board

Worthing Shopmobility has been awarded �120,407 by the National Lottery Charities Board. The grant is to expand its service in the town and extend its support for disabled shoppers into surrounding urban areas.

Horsham and District Citizens Advice Bureau has been awarded two grants. The first - of �46,700 - is for a three days-per-week advice service to people attending a mental health clinic at the local hospital. The second grant - worth �28,363 - is for an outreach service that takes the CAB's independent advice to people who can't get to the bureau's offices.

Shoreham and District Mental Health Association is to get �75,941 over the next three years to support its art and craft work with people who have mental health problems.

And disadvantaged young people in Arun and Bognor are set to benefit from a grant to The Royal Philanthropic Society, which has a project in the area. The group has been given an award of �488,172 to provide training, personal development and support to young people looking for employment in Hastings, Arun, Bognor, Folkestone and Thanet.

'Worthing Shopmobility provides vital support to local disabled people,' says Dorothy Buckrell, South East regional manager for the Charities Board. 'Our grant will enable the group to continue and expand this supportive work. CABx provide essential independent advice on money and welfare matters, but not everyone can make the journey to the CAB offices. Our funding will enable Horsham CAB to be even more accessible to everyone in the community.

'Shoreham and District Mental Health Association supports people in a very creative way, and we hope our support will mean the group can further develop this service. The Royal Philanthropic Society helps provide new opportunities for vulnerable young people. Our grant will enable them to continue and expand this important work.'

The grants have been made under the Charities Board's Community Involvement and Poverty and Disadvantage programmes. Groups can apply for funding at any time and currently one in two applications is successful. The number to call for application forms is 08457 919191.

For further information contact: Karen, Jane or Lesley at Resource Base on 023 8023 6806