UK communities supported through turbulent 2020, thanks to £650 million of National Lottery funding

New figures released today reveal that over £650 million has gone to communities across the UK throughout 2020, thanks to National Lottery players. Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19 this year, vital National Lottery funding has supported communities to keep going up and down the country and helped local good causes to respond at pace.

The money, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, has been used by thousands of community projects to overcome some of this year’s obstacles, to deliver crucial support and bring a sense of togetherness to people while they have had to remain apart.

The money has reached more than 13,000 community groups this year, funding activities ranging from radio shows for patients in hospital to aid their recovery, to online music sessions for children and young people, helping tackle lockdown loneliness.

One recipient of funding was St. Peter's Neighbourhood Association.  On behalf of the Volunteer Gardening Group, the Association applied for and secured £1500 to support the summer's gardening projects across the Neighbourhood within the courtyards and around apartment grounds, as well as the popular and award-winning new Boat Garden off Dobson Crescent.

Whether small grants to local projects or long-term investments into systemic change, National Lottery funding has made it possible for groups to find innovative ways of keeping their communities connected and to reach those who need the most help.