Charities and organisations affected by the coronavirus outbreak in the UK are being given access to a comprehensive package of support of up to £600m of repurposed money from The National Lottery to help some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
Whether it is funding for good causes that combat loneliness and isolation, provide support for the elderly, or projects that support physical and mental health in the community – the extensive funding package span the arts, community and charity, heritage, education, environment and sports sectors.
So far, the funding includes:
- Up to £300m from The National Lottery Community Fund over the next six months going UK-wide to groups best placed to support people and communities at this vital time
- A £50m Emergency Fund from The National Lottery Heritage Fund UK-wide to address immediate pressures in the heritage sector over the next four months and provide increased investment in essential digital skills
- sportscotland is accelerating £16.4m of investment across the sporting system (£8.2m The National Lottery and £8.2m Scottish Government) to support Scottish Governing Bodies, local partners, clubs and community organisations. The funding will help protect the jobs of an estimated 1,600 members of staff working in the sector.
- Creative Scotland has repurposed over £10m National Lottery funds to keep funding flowing to those in most immediate need due to the impact of the Covid-19 crisis. Resources have also been redeployed to ensure those working across Scotland’s arts, screen and creative industries can maintain their practice during the coming months.
- The British Film Institute has made £4.6m of National Lottery funding available to alleviate immediate pressure for organisations and individuals in the screen industries hardest hit by the pandemic.
Several other organisations have also benefitted, and further funding announcements are expected in the future.
The Government has also pledged a £750m package of support for UK charities to ensure they can continue their work.
Dawn Austwick, Chair of The National Lottery Forum, said: “The National Lottery has always supported projects that help people and communities across the UK thrive. And now, the funds available are switching focus to support communities, arts, heritage, sport, education and the environment to mitigate the unprecedented pressure they are coming under as the country rallies to overcome Covid-19.”
To find out more about the range of funding support announced by National Lottery distributors across the UK to date, visit the National Lottery Good Causes website.
