A HALF a million pound Big Lottery grant will help transform a Chepstow charity which support adults with learning disabilities.
The grant, awarded to Chepstow Mencap by the Big Lottery Fund, will be used to create a new, modern base for the charity at The Old Board School building in the town, becoming an active centre offering workshops and exhibitions, Business Breakfast Meetings, Craft Markets and a pop-up café.
The facility will have a fully disability-accessible building on one floor, activity rooms, a training kitchen and a personal care facility, and will be available to the public and visitors to the town.
The charity also plans to re-name the Old Board School Hub Calon Ddraig (translated as heart of the dragon) to echo their Welsh heritage and their aim to be a vibrant centre at the heart of the community. The space will also be available to the public and visitors to the town and castle and there will be a venue space that can be hired out.
Sue Nicholson, the Chair of Trustees at Chepstow Mencap said: “Achieving a successful bid has given Chepstow Mencap an opportunity to achieve our dream of providing the best support for those that use our services and their families. This would never have been realised without the National Lottery understanding and supporting our vision. We look forward to the wider community being able to access and share our wonderful new building and all its facilities’.
Speaking on behalf of the Big Lottery Fund, Derek Preston-Hughes Funding Manager added: “We are looking forward to visiting the busy, vibrant centre up and running in the heart of Chepstow, when Mencap have finished their restorations. The fully accessible centre will mean the whole community can benefit from using it.”
Meanwhile Caldicot-based charity Ready Steady Go are celebrating the success of their application for a grant of £8,149 from the Big Lottery Fund.
The charity plan to support young children with autism to address their issues such as anxiety, isolation and exclusion, by providing a weekly after school and holiday club. £8,149 will hire a venue, support staff costs, mileage allowance, and insurance.
The two Monmouthshire based projects join the 90 communities across Wales celebrating as the Big Lottery Fund awarded £6,492,691.00 of funding in September.