Seventeen community organisations in Herefordshire are celebrating after being awarded almost £950,000 in National Lottery funding on Tuesday, June 5th.

Key towns to receive funding include Ross-on-Wye and Hereford, with several projects helping to combat social isolation and loneliness.

This includes Whitchurch C of E Primary School, Garway Village Hall and Hope Mansell Village Hall.

Whitchurch Primary School are receiving £10,000 to create a new classroom, nursery space and training room for parents, children and teachers. This will improve the facilities available to families in this rural area.

Garway Village Hall will receive £10,000 to employ a part-time manager, ensuring the smooth running of the community centre on a day-to-day basis. They will also develop the centre’s facilities to support events and activities which will help to bring the community together.

Hope Mansell Village Hall are receiving £9,072.00 to update and refurbish the hall, to allow more events to take place. Internet access, the heating system and kitchen and toilet facilities are among the improvements.

James Harcourt, England Grant-Making Director at the Big Lottery Fund, said: “Whether in a village, town or city, National Lottery funding is helping to make a difference, bringing communities together to help people lead happier and healthier lives.

“It’s wonderful to see the positive impact projects are making in Herefordshire. They are an inspiration to others, showing what great things can be achieved when people work together to tackle the things that really matter to their community.”

Other funded projects include, Citizens Advice Herefordshire, Herefordshire Headway, ECHO, A Different Beat, Everybody Dance, C.A.R.E., Luston Primary School, SMAAK, Pembridge United Charities, Croft with Yarpole and Lucton Parochial Church Council and Together.

The Big Lottery Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes. Last year it awarded almost £713 million and supported almost 14,000 projects across the UK for health, education, environment and charitable purposes. The total pot being made available to groups across England this quarter is £41 million.

To find out more please visit: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.