BIG expands its response to community advice

The Big Lottery Fund is today expanding its response to growing pressure on community advice caused by the economic crunch.

New grants from BIG’s Reaching Communities funding stream sees 33 awards totalling close to £8 million targeted on support for communities and people most in need.

Sanjay Dighe, chair of the Big Lottery Fund England said: “BIG continues to see the impact of the economic recession with many more applications for advice projects.

"Advice organisations are dealing with a high level of support requests including homeowners who find their homes at risk following redundancy and reduced incomes and who are struggling to adjust and cope.”

Receiving £436,492 today is Derbyshire Housing Aid for its Bridging the Advice Gap project.

The advice organisation has seen a significant increase in demand for its specialist services, particularly from people facing redundancy and reduced income threatening their home life.

Kim Miles, Framework Housing Aid said: “Accessible legal advice services are essential, particularly in this difficult economic time when people are facing greater challenges to maintain a stable home and finances.

"This funding means we can address this escalating need by providing specialist advice and representation to people experiencing housing and debit problems.”

Torbay’s Citizens’ Advice Bureaux is being given £257,927 to provide financial support and advice to socially excluded and economically vulnerable people who need the skills to improve and effectively manage their financial situation.

Assistance will be provided to help those on low incoming living in deprived areas of Torbay and particularly impacted by the current economic environment and need help to maximise and manage limited and reduced incomes.

Woking’s YMCA will be using a grant of £463,815 to reach young people aged 14-19 who are need of support, guidance, counselling, many of whom are not in education, employment or training and very likely to be experiencing further limitations brought on by the economic crunch.

A youth work programme will be run in the four hot spots in the outlying areas of Woking.

Activities will include sports and fitness, drama, arts and Jobsearch techniques plus signposting to volunteering, training, further education and employment.