Posted by Geraldine
on 6/7/2009, 2:39 pm
91.105.184.126
It has just been announced that BIG is to pump a multi million pound package of funding into communities to help them cope with the effects of the recession. An additional £43 million is to be invested across the UK, and we are working closely with stakeholders to work out what form the support will take. For example, it could include targetted funding for specific services such as debt advice and support to train volunteers.
We have also responded to the increasing pressures faced by the voluntary and community sector by increasing the budgets of some of our most popular programmes – to the tune of around £45 million. This includes a £20 million increase in Reaching Communities, and a further £7.2 million in 16 new BASIS projects across the UK.
In the East Midlands, Community Lincs, the rural commuity council for Lincolnshire will benefit from the extension of our BASIS programme. An award of £488,047 for its Communities Together project will provide extra support in improving the efficiency and impact of voluntary and community groups.
Peter Wanless, Chief Executive at the Big Lottery Fund, said: “I am very aware of the tough times communities are experiencing and the increased demand this is inevitably placing on the voluntary and charitable sector. While there are some reports that the recession may be easing, we know that the full impact on the UK’s communities is still working its way through, impacting on homes across the nation, bringing family breakdown, mental illness, unemployment and personal debt. We are responding to this critical time with a substantial package of support designed to reach those that need it most.”
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