The National Lottery Community Fund

20/08/2026

National Lottery funded Snooker4All Academy is doing amazing things down in Rotherham 🎱

Including helping former disability snooker champion Steven Smith rekindle his love for the game and return to the baize at the age of 74.

Staff at Moorgate Lodge Care Home approached nearby Snooker4All Academy to see if it was possible for Steven to play on their tables. Despite being told he would never be able to play again due to rheumatoid arthritis, Steven now visits with his fellow residents twice a month to play.

Steven Smith's care home arranged for his return to an inclusive snooker hall to play again.

19/08/2026

Being a parent can feel lonely and isolating, especially in rural communities like Ceredigion, Wales, where services and opportunities to meet other mums and dads are limited.

Thanks to National Lottery players, Home-Start UK in Ceredigion is helping families build friendships, access vital support and give children the best start in life – through more than £500,000 of funding.

One Home-Start parent, said:

"The group gave us somewhere to belong. My child gained confidence through play, while I met other parents who understood the challenges of family life.

“National Lottery funding makes groups like this possible. Without that support, many families would miss out on opportunities to connect, access support and feel less alone. The impact goes beyond the group sessions themselves… It gives people the confidence to get out of the house, meet others and realise they're not facing things on their own."

Mae bod yn rhiant yn gallu teimlo'n unig ac yn ynysig, yn enwedig mewn cymunedau gwledig fel Ceredigion, lle mae gwasanaethau a chyfleoedd i gwrdd â mamau a thadau eraill yn gyfyngedig.

Diolch i chwaraewyr Y Loteri Genedlaethol, mae Home-Start Ceredigion yn helpu teuluoedd i feithrin cyfeillgarwch, i gael mynediad at gymorth hanfodol a rhoi'r dechrau gorau mewn bywyd i blant – trwy a***nnu o fwy na £500,000.

Dywedodd un rhiant Home-Start:

"Rhoddodd y grŵp rywle i ni berthyn. Fe wnaeth fy mhlentyn fagu hyder trwy chwarae, tra cefais i gwrdd â rhieni eraill a oedd yn deall heriau bywyd teuluol.

"Mae a***n Y Loteri Genedlaethol yn gwneud grwpiau fel hyn yn bosibl. Heb y gefnogaeth honno, byddai llawer o deuluoedd yn colli allan ar gyfleoedd i gysylltu, i gael mynediad at gymorth ac i deimlo'n llai unig. Mae'r effaith yn mynd tu hwnt i'r sesiynau grŵp eu hunain... Mae'n rhoi'r hyder i bobl fynd allan o'r tŷ, cwrdd ag eraill a sylweddoli nad ydyn nhw'n wynebu pethau ar eu pennau eu hunain."

18/08/2026

On the River Blackwater in Northern Ireland, a dedicated team of kayakers are helping their local environment, one bin bag at a time. 🛶

Ryan McCrudden from Blackwater Paddle Sports shares, “We started litter picking because when we’re out on the water, we see the rubbish and neglect first hand. As users of the river, we decided it’s our duty to look after it.

Initially, there were serious amounts of rubbish in the river. At our first big litter pick, we had to have boats join us because we filled around 40-50 bin bags. They were like floating skips.

We’ve made a massive difference. At a recent big litter pick, we only had to lift about 10% of what we found at the first event. It’s progress. The river is an important place to us. It provides us with outdoor recreation, it’s an escape.

And litter picking gets the community involved. Many have never been out on the water or seen wildlife like this. It’s a special place and we all have to do our bit to look after it.”

Last year, 86% of our funding went to grassroots groups like Blackwater Paddle Sports. Thanks to players, they’re helping nature and the community enjoy the river for years to come.

17/08/2026

WHiST (Women's Health in South Tyneside) is marking its 40th anniversary while continuing to make a real difference for women across South Tyneside. 💜

Through its National Lottery funded Pathways Out of Poverty project, the charity offers a safe, supportive space for women, helping them rebuild confidence, improve wellbeing and move towards a brighter future.

Read more: https://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/whist-national-lottery-funding-south-tyneside-8921753

14/08/2026

At Langlee Nursery in Galashiels, Tweed Togs makes sure every child in the area gets the opportunity to play and learn outdoors whatever the weather. ☔

Tweed Togs is a charity providing outdoor clothing to children across the Scottish Borders, so they can explore woodland areas, splash in puddles, and discover the natural world with their friends.

And thanks to players, their latest grant has allowed them to provide waterproof jackets, fleeces, hats, gloves and puddle suits to families who otherwise couldn’t afford them.

Jenny Grant, Headteacher at Langlee Primary School, said: "We are incredibly grateful. Our children love being outside in all weathers and it’s essential they are properly wrapped up and cosy so they can continue to explore and learn through their outdoor play.”

Since it was formed, Tweed Togs has supported nearly 3,000 children, removing barriers so every young person can learn, grow and make memories outdoors.

Grassroots funding is at the heart of our work, and volunteer‑led charities like Tweed Togs show how one simple intervention like a waterproof suit — can improve a child’s life. Last year, 86% of our total funding went to grassroots groups with an income under £1m, helping local organisations create real change where it matters most.

12/08/2026

Born out of Empire Amateur Boxing Club in inner-city Bristol, Empire Fighting Chance has become a vital support hub for young people struggling to make their way in life as a result of local inequalities.

Zeke is one young person to benefit from the support of Empire Fighting Chance after he was referred after struggling to manage his anger, which had resulted in significant distress, including violence and damage to the family home.

At the club he was assigned a trained Box Therapist, who allowed him to discuss challenges at home and acknowledge some responsibility for what had happened. Using structured boxing-drills, Zeke was able to safely simulate feelings of anger in a safe, controlled environment. This enabled him to reflect on the nature of his anger and experiment with self-regulation strategies.

Zeke said: “Coming to the club clears my mind, I feel more confident. Talking about what is going on at home has made me feel like I sometimes should change how I behave. I like that it has made me a lot fitter and gets me out the house.”

As many as 20% of grants awarded by The National Lottery Community Fund help children and young people develop social and emotional skills.

12/08/2026

Young people's voices should be at the heart of decisions that affect their lives.

That's true in programmes like Mind Our Future in Wales, which brought young people together to explore challenges and shape support for their mental health and wellbeing.

And we're doing the same here at The National Lottery Community Fund, where Youth Voice Advisors, Youth Committee Members and young decision makers across the UK influence how we work, what we fund and the priorities that shape our strategy.

This short film features some of the inspiring young people who led projects through Mind Our Future, which was co-developed with young people in Wales. They were involved throughout, from shaping the programme to assessing applications and making funding decisions.

Working alongside community groups and services, they created support with young people, not just for them, helping others feel heard, supported and empowered.

Video description: young people speaking to camera in an indoor hall, sharing what they've learned and the impact it's had on their lives.

Dylai lleisiau pobl ifanc fod wrth wraidd penderfyniadau sy'n effeithio ar eu bywydau.

Mae hynny'n wir mewn rhaglenni fel Meddwl Ymlaen yng Nghymru, a ddaeth â phobl ifanc at ei gilydd i archwilio heriau a llunio cefnogaeth i'w hiechyd meddwl a'u lles.

Ac rydyn ni'n gwneud yr un peth yma yng Nghronfa Gymunedol y Loteri Genedlaethol, lle mae Cynghorwyr Llais Ieuenctid, Aelodau Pwyllgorau Ieuenctid a phenderfynwyr ifanc ledled y DU yn dylanwadu ar sut rydyn ni'n gweithio, yr hyn rydyn ni'n ei a***nnu a'r blaenoriaethau sy'n siapio ein strategaeth.

Mae'r ffilm fer hon yn cynnwys rhai o'r bobl ifanc ysbrydoledig a arweiniodd brosiectau drwy’r rhaglen Meddwl Ymlaen, a ddatblygwyd ar y cyd â phobl ifanc yng Nghymru. Roedden nhw'n rhan o’r broses gyfan, o lunio'r rhaglen i asesu ceisiadau a gwneud penderfyniadau a***nnu.

Gan weithio ochr yn ochr â grwpiau a gwasanaethau cymunedol, fe wnaethant greu cefnogaeth gyda phobl ifanc, nid yn unig ar eu cyfer, gan helpu eraill i deimlo eu bod yn cael eu clywed, eu cefnogi a'u grymuso.

Disgrifiad o’r fideo: pobl ifanc yn siarad â chamera mewn neuadd dan do, yn rhannu'r hyn maen nhw wedi'i ddysgu a'r effaith y mae wedi'i gael ar eu bywydau.

NHS Wales Performance and Improvement

12/08/2026

On , we're reflecting on what young people have told us about the challenges they face today.

And we're committed to go further, be bolder and work long term to ensure they have the opportunities, support and influence they need to thrive.

This year's theme recognises that while young people's experiences may differ, their aspirations are remarkably similar: to be heard, to access opportunities and to build a positive future.

That's why our priorities are shaped by what communities tell us matters. More than 18,000 conversations helped shape our strategy, reinforcing the importance of having children and young people at the heart of our governance, decision-making and work.

Thanks to players, we've awarded more than £573 million to 7,478 projects across the UK over the last three years, creating life-changing opportunities for children and young people. And 867 of these projects were co-created or shaped by young people themselves, helping ensure they are not just consulted, but involved in driving change alongside trusted adults and community partners.

Follow along on our channels throughout the day to see how communities across the UK are backing young people to build brighter futures.

Video description: young people speaking to camera in an indoor hall, sharing their concerns.

Ar , rydyn ni'n adlewyrchu ar yr hyn y mae pobl ifanc wedi'i ddweud wrthym am yr heriau maen nhw'n eu hwynebu heddiw.

Ac rydym wedi ymrwymo i fynd ymhellach, bod yn fwy mentrus a gweithio'n hirdymor i sicrhau bod ganddynt y cyfleoedd, y gefnogaeth a'r dylanwad sydd eu hangen arnynt i ffynnu.

Mae thema eleni’n cydnabod, er y gall profiadau pobl ifanc fod yn wahanol, mae eu dyheadau yn hynod debyg: cael eu clywed, cael mynediad at gyfleoedd ac adeiladu dyfodol cadarnhaol.
Dyna pam mae ein blaenoriaethau yn cael eu siapio gan yr hyn y mae cymunedau yn ei ddweud wrthym sy'n bwysig. Helpodd mwy na 18,000 o sgyrsiau i lunio ein strategaeth, gan atgyfnerthu pwysigrwydd cael plant a phobl ifanc wrth wraidd ein llywodraethu, ein penderfyniadau a'n gwaith.

Diolch i chwaraewyr y , rydym wedi dyfarnu mwy na £573 miliwn i 7,478 o brosiectau ledled y DU dros y tair blynedd diwethaf, gan greu cyfleoedd sy'n newid bywydau i blant a phobl ifanc.

Ac mae 867 o'r prosiectau hyn wedi cael eu cyd-greu neu eu llunio gan bobl ifanc eu hunain, gan helpu sicrhau eu bod nid yn unig yn cael eu hymgynghori, ond yn ymwneud â llywio newid ochr yn ochr ag oedolion dibynadwy a phartneriaid cymunedol.

Dilynwch ein sianeli drwy gydol y dydd i weld sut mae cymunedau ledled y DU yn cefnogi pobl ifanc i adeiladu dyfodol mwy disglair.

Disgrifiad o’r fideo: pobl ifanc yn siarad â chamera mewn neuadd dan do, yn rhannu eu pryderon.

11/08/2026

In Devon, Okehampton Who Let The Dads Out is bringing fathers together to be themselves and support their mental health.

Adam, a father of three, discovered that the group was a welcoming and supportive environment for himself and his children.

"Just being a group of dads is unique and it builds a bond and a strength between men that you wouldn’t necessarily get if you were there as a couple."

Thanks to players, Who Let the Dads Out? Okehampton could support dads to connect, reduce isolation, and enjoy meaningful experiences together. They create opportunities for families to have fun, but also build new friendships and provide a safe, relaxed space where dads can truly be themselves.

“It was a relief to go on an adventure to places we hadn’t been before, meet new people and go somewhere new. Other people are experiencing hardships as well and a problem shared is a problem halved."

10/08/2026

Wherever you are in the UK, there’s a project just round the corner doing something amazing.

From Lisburn to Lyme Regis, Livingston to Llandudno, we’re here for everyone.