News Beat
Claudia Winkleman visits pioneering projects boosted by National Lottery funding
THE ARRIVAL of Claudia Winkleman at Bloom Sheffield, a community flower garden, was a surreal moment for its founder.
“When we took over the allotments six years ago there were no roofs on the buildings and the weeds were taller than me,” says Kendall Turner.
“So to have Claudia Winkleman in our little shed just felt crazy!”
For every National Lottery ticket that’s sold, money goes to similar community building projects across the UK, big and small.
National Lottery ambassador-in-chief Claudia has travelled the length and breadth of Britain, accompanied by National Lottery players, to experience the incredible impact of buying a ticket.
“Everyone plays to be in with a chance of winning a life-changing prize,” she says.
“Your play is literally making a difference to the lives of millions of people every day, and I cannot put into words the gratitude and happiness I saw at every single project.”
It’s a powerful journey, and testament to you. You’ve helped raise £50billion for good causes involving more than 650,000 projects in the past 30 years.
You’re not just in the draw – you’re top drawer.
Growing support in Sheffield
Every time you buy a National Lottery ticket, you’re already a winner.
Because of You, good causes across the UK are able to do marvellous things.
At Bloom Sheffield, women and non-binary people can support one another, learn gardening skills and feel less isolated.
It’s Because of You that amazing projects like this can blossom: it’s received £269,000 in National Lottery funding over the past four years.
Kendall started the project in 2019, aged 24, while working as a special educational needs teacher.
“I was struggling with my mental health as I’d just moved to Sheffield and didn’t really have any friends or a support network,” she says.
Spending time on an allotment helped her to relax – and meet new people.
“I took over a plot and organised a little gardening session. Three people turned up.”
Bloom Sheffield now has more than 60 volunteers, and 70 people a week attend its community sessions and therapeutic workshops.
Kendall is thrilled to have been awarded three years of funding from The National Lottery’s Reaching Communities fund.
“It’s totally changed the game for us,” she says. “We’re so incredibly grateful.”
Rugby for all in Wales
In Wales, rugby runs through your veins – just ask the players at the North Wales Crusaders Wheelchair Rugby League & Disability Sports Clubs.
“I fell in love with the sport because it’s so diverse – anyone can play,” says Stephen Jones, the Crusaders’ head coach and chairman of the organisation.
“We’re here to show people you don’t have a disability, you have a different ability.”
An ex-player and former coach of the Welsh national team, he started the club in 2013 with the aim of making wheelchair rugby league accessible to everyone.
“There’s an 11-year-old and a 70-year-old. We’ve got a trans player, we’ve got amputees, we’ve got people like my son, who has epilepsy.
“Without The National Lottery we’d be struggling, but with funding we were able to buy our first specialist lightweight wheelchairs.”
North Wales Crusaders have produced 16 international players, including Ted, who has cerebral palsy.
When he came to the club aged 13 with his mum, he was terrified of being in a wheelchair.
He is now a Welsh international.
Farming fun in County Derry
Gortilea Social Farm gives children, young people and adults with disabilities the chance to work with animals and on the land.
They can gain qualifications and learn life skills for work placements thanks to the recent funding of £58,000 from The National Lottery.
Clare McMonagle turned the family farm into a “social farm” following a pilot research project involving Queen’s University Belfast and University College Dublin.
It made such an impact that they’ve never looked back. “We’re a working hill farm with around 150 sheep as well as beef cattle and therapy horses,” says Clare, an occupational therapist who has since trained in equine therapy.
Before he started coming to Gortilea, one young man in his early 20s would spend most of his days in his room “because there was nothing for him”, says Clare. Now he supports newcomers to the farm.
And a non-verbal boy said his first words while on a horse at Gortilea – “I showed the video to someone from The National Lottery and they suggested we apply for a grant,” Clare recalls.
She loved Claudia’s visit: “It was such fun and I think she really understood what we do.”
Sounding off in Sussex
AudioActive has seen some of Britain’s best-loved music artists pass through its doors, including Rizzle Kicks and Rag’n’Bone Man.
The charity, based in Brighton, East Sussex, uses music for social change, nurturing talent, creativity and confidence through music sessions, events and mentoring open to anyone aged 12 to 25.
“Many young people are so talented and at the same time having a really bad time at school, failing in education or getting in trouble with the police,” says CEO Adam Joolia.
“We want to give them better outcomes.”
Adam worked in Nottingham in alternative education, youth work and music projects as the UK grime scene was emerging.
At the time, gun and gang violence were rife in Nottingham so he pioneered creative approaches to engage young people.
“The qualities that make them such unique, promising artists, who aren’t afraid to challenge convention or take risks, can often make them hard to nurture within formal institutions.”
More than £1.2million of funding from The National Lottery has been “game changing” for AudioActive and since 1999 it has grown to over 50 dedicated staff.
Dinners to donkeys: how funds make a difference
Food glorious food
Cook for Good is a social enterprise – set up with support from The National Lottery – that tackles food poverty and social isolation on an estate in King’s Cross, London.
“Our Grub Club is a shining example of using food and cooking to tackle social isolation,” says marketing manager Cathy Halstead.
“It’s for older men who are learning to cook together – and becoming friends as a result.”
Mini Donk magic
In south Norfolk, Claudia met Millie, Pippin and Pixie, three of the Mini Donks (Miniature Donkeys for Wellbeing) who spread joy everywhere from care homes to special educational schools.
Two National Lottery grants (£60,000 in total) helped buy a lorry – aka the Donkmobile – and subsidise visits.
“Millie, our smallest and bravest Mini Donk, will even go in a lift,” says deputy manager Claire Hughes.
“They all do bedside visits and they make everyone smile.”
Curtain calls
It’s hosted the likes of Albert Finney, Pierce Brosnan and Gary Oldman – now the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow has reopened after a seven-year regeneration supported by £7.7million in National Lottery funding.
Initiatives to draw people in include drama workshops and £5 tickets for locals.
“Our activity, pricing and ticketing allow the community to feel this theatre is theirs,” says participate director Dr Catrin Evans.
The National Lottery changes lives, Because of You. Find out how at national-lottery.co.uk
Watch Claudia’s journey to National Lottery-funded good causes across the UK
