This November we’re celebrating the 25th birthday of The National Lottery. Since the first National Lottery draw in 1994, it’s not just the jackpot winners that have had their lives changed for the better. In Wales 20,671 good causes have received a share of £973.5 million of National Lottery funding to community projects.
The National Lottery Community Fund distributes 40% of National Lottery funds raised for good causes supporting health, education, the environment and charitable purposes. We are the largest community funder in Wales, supporting people and communities to thrive.
Our funding is having a positive impact on communities across Wales and to give you a flavour of the breadth of projects we’ve supported, we’re counting down the years and showcasing 25 examples of organisations we have supported in the 25 years since The National Lottery began…
In 2019 we awarded £2,920,462 to The Outdoor Partnership to replicate the success of their current North Wales project and get people in Scotland, Northern Ireland and England into the outdoors.
In 2018 we awarded £10,000 to Vic Studios to run music sessions with vulnerable, disadvantaged and disengaged young people to help improve skills and self‑esteem.
In 2017 we awarded £1,016,881 to Welcome to our Woods to develop new ways of connecting people and their natural environment, managing natural resources and local spaces differently for health, wellbeing, training and employment.
In 2016 we awarded £245,295 in Creating Enterprise awarded to reduce isolation and improve the employability of social housing tenants.
In 2015 we awarded £240,190 to Milford Youth Matters to provide opportunities for young people to gain accredited training and work‑based experience.
In 2014 we awarded £324,311 to Y Dref Werdd to develop pilot projects that reduce energy use and improve the chance to get employment in sustainable industries.
In 2013 we awarded £394,643 to Street Football Wales to use football to tackle homelessness and social exclusion.
In 2012 we awarded £163,703 to Resolven Building Blocks to support families living in poverty with a baby café and free childcare while parents attend training.
In 2011 we awarded £982,637 to Tenovus to develop Sing for Life choirs across Wales for cancer patients, families, carers, friends and those who have been bereaved by cancer.
In 2010 we awarded £4,600 to Pride Cymru to introduce a community and wellbeing zone to the Pride Cymru celebration in Cardiff.
In 2009 we awarded £261,597 to Mid Wales Food and Land Trust Limited to provide information on how to eat healthily for people on low incomes.
In 2008 we awarded £56,420 to Clwyd Special Riding School to provide life skills for young people with special needs.
In 2007 we awarded £248,914 to Ethnic Youth Support Team in Swansea to enable young ethnic minority men to access work placements, plus cultural awareness training for participating agencies.
In 2006 we awarded £300,000 to Tir Coed to offer disadvantaged young people forestry skills training
In 2005 we awarded £41,541 to Gwent Wildlife Trust to provide volunteering opportunities for people from Newport.
In 2004 we awarded £177,467 to KIM Inspire to provide mental health support for people across North Wales.
In 2003 we awarded £58,028 to Tumble Family Centre in Carmarthenshire to provide a bilingual family centre.
In 2002 we awarded £299,606 to New Pathways to provide counselling sessions to people that have experienced rape and sexual abuse.
In 2001 we awarded £157,536 to South Riverside Community Development Centre to provide a general, independent advice service, open to all.
In 2000 we awarded £211, 234 to Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre Wales to improve the specialist therapy they offer in Cardiff for children with cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions.
In 1999 we awarded £188,049 to Bridges Centre to refurbish their premises to provide a range of service to their community in Monmouthshire, including accessible activities such as surfing for children with learning and physical disabilities.
In 1998 we awarded £136,583 to Carmarthen Youth Project (Dr M’z) to establish a safe meeting place for young people.
In 1997 we awarded £101,919 to Y Bont in Bridgend to purchase and refurbish a multi-purpose resource centre for babies and young children with disabilities, and their families
In 1996 we awarded £312,937 to Llanharan Community Development Project to improve the local youth centre.
In 1995 we awarded £25,500 to Mudiad Meithrin to provide Welsh nursery education that is open to all.
Celebrate this milestone birthday with us!
We’ve created a Digital Toolkit to support everyone to join the 25th National Lottery celebrations. Visit tnl25.co.uk.
We’re also making a special £7.5 million pot of funding available to mark The National Lottery’s 25th birthday. The fund, #CelebrateNationalLottery25, will help communities celebrate the extraordinary impact of The National Lottery. It will support activity designed to bring people and communities together all over the UK and will be launched in November. Keep your eyes peeled for more information.
