The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) has invested £650m in helping charities and communities with local infrastructure funding over the last five years, according to latest figures.

The NLCF has announced the funding milestone in its Connections Make Communities report into its role in supporting local infrastructure funding, including developing and building village hall communities centres as well as community owned pubs and shops.

It has directly awarded £650m over the last five years. An additional £394m has been handed out through trusts since 2012.

This has included helping acquire 589 assets for community use and supporting 900 accessibility infrastructure projects.

It has also funded almost 10,000 building renovations and 1,500 village hall and community centre projects.

“This report highlights the impact money invested into community assets has on people’s lives across the UK,” said NLCF director of engagement and insight Faiza Khan.

“Places like village halls, community cafés and leisure centres are at the heart of our communities and provide a focal point for people to come together, make connections and build friendships and support networks.

“These spaces play a vital role in helping communities to prosper and thrive and will be more important than ever as communities rebuild from the pandemic.”

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