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Blogs

The Big Blog
Personal stories and features from people who have benefited from BIG funding.
Peter Wanless
The CEO of the Big Lottery Fund shares his personal thoughts and perspectives on Big Lottery Fund business.
Heroes Return
Stories from war veterans revisiting the places where they saw action during World War II.
BIG Scotland
Personal stories and features from people who have benefited from BIG funding in Scotland.

Living with spinal cord injury – Katie’s story 18 May 2012
Today, 18 May, is UK Spinal Injury Awareness Day. Read on to hear from Katie Taylor, 24, who beat a rare childhood cancer but was left with spinal cord injury. With the help of BIG-funded Spinal Injuries Association and its community peer support service, she found the strength needed to carry on with life. “When I was nine months old, my parents were told I had a [...]
The urgency of now 17 May 2012
In the latest of a series of guest blog posts focusing on the importance of early action and prevention in dealing with a range of social problems, David Robinson, founder of Community Links and chair of the Early Action Taskforce, outlines the need and the potential for an influential alliance for early action. David shared a platform [...]
Schoolchildren learn lessons from Anne Frank 14 May 2012
Inviting holocaust survivors to speak to schoolchildren about their terrifying childhood experiences is just one of the ways a London-based programme seeks to challenge prejudice and prevent or combat hate and race-related offending. Other activities from The Anne Frank Trust Schools and Young Ambassadors Programme, currently delivered in London boroughs with high levels of community tension, [...]

Finding that “wow” factor
I spoke at the Funding the Future conference yesterday (14 March) where hundreds of people came along to hear and debate funding policy with government ministers and key decision makers in statutory, Lottery and trust funders. I thought it would be useful for the audience to hear directly from the decision makers on our England Committee [...]
Below the Radar
31 January 2012
Putting customers at the heart of corporate strategy – an opinion piece
3 January 2012

WW2 bombardier relives his great escape on 67th anniversary of VE-day
PoW Eric Batteson crouched in the dark watching the camp guard’s every movement before seizing his split second moment to escape to what would be an uncertain and precarious freedom high in the Italian mountains. Now, thanks to a Lottery award the 92-year veteran from Chester is making an emotional pilgrimage to thank the courageous [...]
Irish veterans return to theatres of war
4 May 2012
Veterans visit Malta to mark 70th anniversary of islanders’ bravery award
11 April 2012

New £6 million fund for Scots under-8s
The Big Lottery Fund has teamed up with the Scottish Government to launch the Communities and Families Fund a new multi million programme aimed at helping Scotland’s children get the best start in life. The £6 million fund will offer grassroots projects the chance to apply for funding of between £250 to £10,000 over the [...]
Moving on up
21 May 2012
Don’t leave the future till the last minute
18 May 2012

Twitter in the countries & regions

Photos

Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, gets into the swing of things

Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, gets into the swing of things

Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, gets into the swing of things
BIG Scotland Committee Vice Chair, Liz Cameron and Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell join in

BIG Scotland Committee Vice Chair, Liz Cameron and Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell join in
Lending a helping hand

Lending a helping hand
Sunshine, smiles and squeals of fun

Sunshine, smiles and squeals of fun
The sun came out for a play on the swings

The sun came out for a play on the swings
Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, gets into the swing of things

Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, gets into the swing of things

All smiles at the Reidvale Adventure Play Association in Dennistoun Glasgow

All smiles at the Reidvale Adventure Play Association in Dennistoun Glasgow
Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, helps out with face-painting

Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, helps out with face-painting
Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, helps out with face-painting

Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, helps out with face-painting
Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, helps out with face-painting

Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell, helps out with face-painting
Eric Batteson returns to Italy

Eric Batteson returns to Italy
Keith Quilter examines the F4U Corsair fighter bomber

Keith Quilter examines the F4U Corsair fighter bomber

Keith Quilter examining a log-book

Keith Quilter examining a log-book
Keith Quilter examining a log-book

Keith Quilter examining a log-book
Keith Quilter

Keith Quilter
Keith Quilter pictured during his wartime service

Keith Quilter pictured during his wartime service
Keith Quilter

Keith Quilter
The F4U Corsair fighter bomber emerges from its hangar

The F4U Corsair fighter bomber emerges from its hangar

BLF4

BLF4
The panel of experts included both those in the industry and residents of rural communities who now run successful community owned businesses

The panel of experts included both those in the industry and residents of rural communities who now run successful community owned businesses

Videos

Realising Ambition

Myddfai. Village SOS Roadshow 2011

Jo Gideon, the village champion for Myddfai in the BBC Village SOS TV series discusses the project at the Village SOS Roadshow in London, December 2011
Talgarth. Village SOS Roadshow 2011

Anne Hillyer, the village champion for Talgarth in the BBC Village SOS TV series discusses the project at the Village SOS Roadshow in the village in 2011.
Yarpole Community Shop. Village SOS Roadshow 2011

Julian Stokes and David Cheshire discuss their award winning Yarpole Community Shop at the Village SOS Roadshow in Worcester 2011.
Sleat Community Trading. Village SOS Roadshow 2011

Duncan MacInnes of Sleat Community Trading discusses how residents of the Isle of Skye have taken the running of local assets and businesses into their own hands. Village SOS Roadshow, Inverness 2011
Hudswell Community Pub. Village SOS Roadshow 2011

Martin Booth of Hudswell Community Pub discusses how communities can be empowered to take ownership of local assets. Village SOS Roadshow, Darlington 2011
Ennerdale Bridge. Village SOS Roadshow 2011

Peter Maher from Ennerdale Bridge in Cumbria tells the story of taking over his local pub, the Fox and Hounds. Village SOS Roadshow, Preston 2011
Peter Couchman - Plunkett Foundation. Village SOS Roadshow 2011

Peter Couchman, chief executive of the Plunkett Foundation, discusses rural community enterprise at the Village SOS Roadshow in Darlington, 30 November 2011
Antur Waun Fawr - WELSH. Village SOS Roadshow 2011

Huw Davies from Antur Waun Fawr in Wales presents a case study on his community enterprise at the Village SOS Roadshow in Caernafon 2011. IN WELSH
Justlife Centre thrives thanks to BIG funding

The Justlife Foundation received more than £381000 from the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities programme to establish a health and enterprise centre in Manchester for vulnerable adults.
Purple Zebra -- developing social media use in the East Midlands

Purple Zebra received £313669 from Big Lottery Fund's BASIS programme to increase and support the use of ICT in the East Midlands. We visited a social media surgery that they were running, giving voluntary groups in Nottingham that chance to drop in and get help, support and advice, in using online channels such as Twitter and Facebook.
A BIG new investment in young people

Dharmendra Kanani, England Director and some of the team helping us design our new investment in young people talk about how the process is going. Video transcript: Title: A true collaboration -- why young people are helping us design our new investment Dharmendra Kanani, England Director, Big Lottery Fund: Working with young people to define what we fund and how we fund is probably one of the most important things we can do at the Big Lottery Fund. Topes, 20, London: It is a great chance that I have been given to put forward the main issues that most young people from my age and background, and outside of that age and background, are going through. What has it been like working with BIG England Committee Members Albert Tucker and Nalini Varma? Jenna, 22, Liverpool: I think working with Nalini and Albert is really good -- the fact that they are from the England Committee and have such an important role, and that they are really interested in us. Kelsey, 24, London: Albert has been to quite a few of our meetings and he is always willing to play devil's advocate, which helps us young people reflect on our own biases and think outside the box into things that are more social innovation as opposed to reinventing the wheel. This is a BIG responsibility... how does it feel? George, 17, Cornwall: I've always seen and applied for these grants, and now I am behind something, making something happen and allowing other young people to see the work that is going on. Daniel, 18, Essex <b>...</b>
Village SOS National Conference - Peter McClymont

Peter McClymont, a delegate at the Village SOS national conference in February 2012 discusses his experience of rural life.
Village SOS National Conference - Niall McFerran

Niall McFerran of the Ballygally Communtiy Development Asssociation discusses the issues affecting rural communities at the Village SOS national conference in February 2012
Village SOS National Conference - Edwina Edwards

An interview with Edwina Edwards, chief executive of Bakewell and Eyam Community Transport from the Village SOS national conference in February 2012
Village SOS National Conference - Michael Clayton

An interview with Michael Clayton of Pub is the Hub from the Village SOS National Conference in February 2012.
Village SOS National Conference - Catherine Harrington

An interview with Catherine Harrington of the Community Land Trust from the Village SOS National Conference in February 2012.
Village SOS National Conference - Peter Maher

An interview with Peter Maher of the Ennerdale Community Hub in Cumbria from the Village SOS National Conference in February 2012
Village SOS National Conference - Ivan Annibal/Stuart Burgess

An interview with Ivan Annibal of Rose Regeneration and Stuart Burgess, Chair of Commission for Rural Communities from the Village SOS National Conference in February 2012
Village SOS National Conference Peter Ainsworth

An interview with Peter Ainsworth, chairman of Big Lottery Fund at the Village SOS National Conference in February 2012
Village SOS National Conference Karen Lowthrop

An interview with Karen Lowthrop of Hill Holt Wood, a community owned woodland in Lincolnshire from the Village SOS National Conference in February 2012
WW2 veteran Jack Jennings recalls wartime experiences

The story of WW2 veteran Jack Jennings, 93, inspired a National Lottery good cause TV advert campaign. In this video he speaks of his return to the Far East with funding from the Big Lottery Fund's Heroes Return programme. Jack also gives his thoughts on how Lottery money benefits good causes across the UK.
Village SOS National Conference

Delegates gathered in Birmingham on 27 February 2012 for Village SOS National Conference. Here they heard from a range of inspiring speakers and experts and discussed issues surrounding rural community enterprise. For information about Village SOS, please visit www.villagesos.org.uk
North West Taxi Proprietors - Reaching Communities

North West Taxi Proprietors Funded by Big Lottery Fund through the Reaching Communities programme, North West Taxi Proprietors Ltd aims to improve the lives of taxi drivers in the Derry city area who are struggling with poor health, low income and a taxi service that is poorly regulated.
Calvert Trust - Reaching Communities

Calvert Trust Kielder Funded by Big Lottery Fund through the Reaching Communities programme, the Calvert Trust aims to enable people with disabilities to achieve their potential through the challenge of outdoor adventure in the countryside.