What do Chooselife, Capel Hendre OAP Club and Glynhir golf club have in common?

What do Chooselife, Capel Hendre OAP Club and Glynhir golf club have in common?

The answer is that they are all celebrating grants from the Big Lottery Fund.

2019 got off to a great start for five Carmarthenshire-based organisations with a share of grants from the Big Lottery Fund totalling £131,701. The grants are made possible by people playing the National Lottery. 

The largest grant went to Chooselife Cymru in Llanelli with £99,001. They will support those suffering from substance misuse, ex-offenders, the homeless, and those experiencing adverse childhood experiences to access Universal Credit.

Chooselife will address barriers such as a lack of basic understanding, literacy and numeracy skills, communication and IT. Service users will benefit from advice, support and information to increase confidence and skills, leading to reduced feelings of isolation, poverty and homelessness and an improvement in their health and psychological wellbeing.

Alan Andrews, Managing Director of Chooselife in Llanelli welcomed the grant, saying: 

“We are thankful to receive this National Lottery funding which will enable us to continue supporting vulnerable people in the Llanelli area, not only with their on-going issues but more directly with the impact that Universal Credit is having on them and by providing computers and hands on support to make any applications or alterations necessary, as simple as possible.

“We work with people in a friendly, non-judgemental manner which breaks down any barriers or fears people have when accessing different services. Having this award will enable us to help break down even more barriers and ensure that people with problems in the area are offered a lifeline with the new support available.” 

Capel Hendre O.A.P. Club applied for £4,400 to purchase equipment to hold exercise classes for the local community and tools that will enable them to overcome issues that their members face. 

Dennis Morgan is Secretary of the Club and he told us:  

“Our project is very apt after overeating at Christmas. The exercising can now take place because the National Lottery has provided us with the means to purchase the necessary equipment. It is for us to make it happen.”

Glynhir Golf Club in Ammanford will spend £10,000 to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of individuals by creating a space for the whole community to use.

Heather Evans, Glynhir Club Captain welcomed the award saying:

“We at Glynhir Golf Club are over the moon to be awarded a grant from the Big Lottery Fund and are looking forward to starting our project. The quality of care in the community will be greatly improved by this project and the redevelopment will create an attractive and visually improved multipurpose facility.

“This will benefit the area physically, socially and environmentally. It will impact positively on the lives of local residents and take a step towards renewal for the area. The redevelopment of the facility will improve the delivery of services to members of the community.”

Friends of Rhydygors will use the £9,800 grant to provide one-to-one mentoring sessions for young people who have left care which will offer them support, reduce anxiety and help build their confidence.  

Women’s Group Only applied for £8,500, this was to provide social and educational activities for women from Black Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.