National Lottery funding boost to help three Wrexham community groups respond to COVID-19

Six groups in North Wales have received a funding boost to help them respond to issues arising from COVID-19 in their communities.

Three Wrexham organisations have received a grant in the latest round of The National Lottery Community Fund.

The funding aims to “keep money flowing to support communities that are having to adapt to the increasing challenges” caused by the pandemic.

The Community Café in Rhosllanerchrugog, near Wrexham, will use a £7,796 grant to run a foodbank that is experiencing an increase in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grace Lockhart, founder and manager of the café opened in 2012 to serve the community as a social hub with low cost food, told us: “We are over the moon with the funding! Thank you so, so much for helping us support our community at this challenging time.”

Family Friends in Wrexham will use a £10,000 National Lottery grant to provide online and telephone support for women who are or have been suffering from Domestic Abuse.

Mary Roblin, manager of Family Friends, said: “The funding is helping keep women safer in their home and providing them with strength to make decisions to improve their lives.”

Wrexham Foodbank has received a grant of 10,000, with Suzanne Nantcurvis, Trustee and Home Delivery Organiser of the organisation, stating: “We are grateful for the financial support of £10,000 the National Lottery Community Fund has made available to us.

“This funding has not only supported our sustainability but has helped us to develop a further service which will be hugely supportive to our community as new situations evolve.”

Groundwork North Wales has received £18,731 to support volunteers and community partners with a backlog of maintenance required to open green spaces around Connah’s Quay following the lockdown.

They will also offer garden maintenance and materials to people who need support.

Charley Dutton, Engagement Officer of the Your Back Yard project said, “It wasn’t until we had finished the first garden that I realised how much the project could help Connah’s Quay’s key workers and shielding residents. We have received such positive feedback from residents and the wider community.”

Giddo’s Gift will use a National Lottery grant to provide gifts for teenagers and young people who are battling with cancer and self-isolating due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

They will also provide food vouchers and a book library for the affected families.

Mandy Giddins, founder of Giddo’s Gift, said: “A huge thank you to everyone at The National Lottery Community Fund for awarding Giddo’s Gift a fantastic £8,200 to help us continue supporting young people and their families battling cancer. During lockdown we have continued to help young people, and unfortunately have also supported bereaved families after the devastating loss of their child to cancer.

“The award has enabled us to provide them with books on grief and beautiful memory boxes.”

The FDF Centre for Independent Living also successfully applied for a grant and will work with parents of disabled children and disabled adults in Flintshire, Wrexham and Denbighshire who are worried about the return to the community after isolation. They will use their £29,500 grant to work with volunteers to support those struggling with life changing experiences, to rebuild their lives, and reduce mental health issues.

These are just some of the communities who have been helped by a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund. The funding programmes remain open and are prioritising COVID-19 related activity. For further information, see www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/wales