May 2004 - general PN 04-06-24

The Big Lottery Fund will play a key role in tackling disadvantage and improving the quality of life in communities.

Debbie Pippard, London Regional Manager (Voluntary & Community Sector Funding Programmes), at the Big Lottery Fund said:

“The Big Lottery Fund is tasked with funding projects that address the needs and issues of people living in deprived communities. The projects awarded today are hugely diverse in both the work they do and the communities they serve. It is this scope and vision that ensures that Lottery money supports projects working at every level of disadvantage, helping to improve the lives of as many people as possible.”

Patients at St Josephs Hospice in Hackney will benefit from the grant of £107,800 made to the Hospice (part of The Religious Sisters of Charity Charitable Trust). The money will help fund the fittings for the redevelopment of the main hospital wing, an expansion that will allow higher standards of clinical care as well as improved facilities for families visiting patients.

Sr Teresa Clarke, RSC, Chief Executive of St Joseph's Hospice said:

"We are absolutely delighted that the Big Lottery Fund has so generously supported our Centenary Capital Appeal. This grant will be used to purchase furniture, furnishings and fittings for our new, 61 bed In Patient Wing and will help us to provide an environment which suits the diverse cultural needs of the million and a half people living in our referral area.

When our new wing opens, our local community will have access to one of the finest In Patient facilities in Europe, offering the highest standards of professional care together with a choice of accommodation designed to suit individual needs and preferences.

We are deeply grateful to the Big Lottery Fund for supporting us in our ongoing commitment to provide the best care and facilities possible for the community we are privileged to serve."

Other projects that were successful include: Islington Age Concern who will work with isolated older people to make their voice heard on community issues that affect them; Mosaic Clubhouse in Lambeth that offers a range of activities and support for people with mental health problems; and Bede House Association in Southwark that provides people with learning difficulties with volunteering opportunities, helping them to gain confidence and new skills.
The boroughs successful at this meeting are:

Barking & Dagenham - 1 grant - £95,216
Brent - 1 grant - £98,947
Camden - 1 grant - £195,059
Croydon - 2 grants - £169,213
Enfield - 2 grants - £223,196
Greenwich - 1 grant - £56,635
Hackney - 2 grants - £167,766
H/smith & Fulham - 3 grants - £502,835
Islington - 1 grant - £149,732
Lambeth - 3 grants - £352,974
Newham - 1 grant - £95,505
Richmond-upon-Thames- 1 grant - £76,246
Southwark - 1 grant - £122,670
Sutton - 2 grants - £80,031
Tower Hamlets - 1 grant - £190,576
Westminster, City of - 1 grant - £90,000

Overall, 17 large grants and 7 medium grants were awarded totalling £2,666,501.

Notes to Editors

Big Lottery Fund is the joint operating name of the New Opportunities Fund and the National Lottery Charities Board (which made grants under the name of the Community Fund). The Big Lottery Fund, launched on 1st June 2004, is distributing half of all National Lottery good cause funding across the UK.

The Big Lottery Fund is building on the experience and best practice of the merged bodies to simplify funding in those areas where they overlap and to ensure Lottery funding provides the best possible value for money. To date, the two merged Fund’s have committed more than £5 billion to initiatives with national, regional and local partners from the public, voluntary, charity and private sectors, with a particular focus on disadvantage.