National Lottery funding helping Cheshire Deaf Society to expand its work in Wrexham

Over 22 organisations across north Wales have received a share of £1.1 million to support local communities.

The grants, provided by The National Lottery Community Fund, aim to bring people together by supporting people’s wellbeing and health.

In Wrexham and Flintshire the Cheshire Deaf Society has received £248,708 to employ specialist project workers and staff to support D/deaf children, young people, and their families in the two counties.

This will improve communication in the home and in social environments, as well as improving confidence, independence and socialisation, and reducing relationship breakdown and bullying.

Pam Craige, Hear Me! Project Coordinator at Deafness Support Network said: “Through the Hear Me! Project, we’re empowering deaf children, young people, and their families to enhance communication and foster inclusion in our local community.

“The National Lottery’s generous funding is the key to making a positive impact and ensuring deaf children can thrive in the community for generations to come.”

Other organisations to receive funding include the Lamb’s Garden Enterprise Ltd in Flintshire, which will support Holywell Community Hospital to develop the gardens accessed by patients.

The organisation will also continue to deliver intergenerational nature sessions and develop a food bank for patients on discharge.

A patient who attended on of these sessions said: “Thank you for that. You’ve taken me outside – not literally but, you really have. Up the Orme watching the hares.”

A pharmacist at the hospital explained how the sessions make a difference to the patients: “They’re so good for the patients.

“I think what you’re doing is amazing; it’s better than any drug we could prescribe. It’s proactive.

“It’s engaging. I know how the patients love it. I’ve seen you in other hospitals and I try to listen in because it’s so interesting.

“Thank you for what you’re doing.”

Elsewhere Cae Rhug Holistic Farm Limited will use £79,750 to provide a bespoke horticultural therapy programme, alongside wellbeing and resilience coaching, for people facing mental health challenges in Flintshire.

Volunteering Matters will use £88,778 to develop community-based activities to tackle loneliness and social isolation amongst older people in Holywell, alongside traditional befriending interventions.

Ruth Bates, Head of the north Wales region at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to supporting projects that bring people together in their communities, create stronger social connections and help develop new skills.

“These projects in north Wales certainly do this, and the thanks goes to National Lottery players who raise £30 million each week towards good causes like these across the UK.”

This month The Fund has awarded £4,789,521 to 125 projects across Wales; a full list of projects is available on request. For further information about The National Lottery Community Fund grants, visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk

Photos © Cheshire Deaf Society